About
Remote Area Medical (RAM) is a Tennessee-based nonprofit that operates volunteer-powered mobile medical clinics delivering free dental, vision, and medical care to underserved communities across the United States. Founded in 1985 by Stan Brock, RAM has served more than one million patients at no cost to them, relying entirely on private donors and volunteers and receiving no government funding.
Mission
RAM's mission is to prevent pain and alleviate suffering by providing free, quality healthcare to those in need. Its core values are compassion, respect, and integrity.
What they do
- Dental care: cleanings, fillings, extractions, and X-rays
- Vision care: eye exams, eye health evaluations, prescriptions, and glasses manufactured on site
- Medical care: general medicine, family physicians, podiatrists, and women's health providers
- Preventive services: breast exams, diabetes screening, and physicals
- Mobile telehealth clinics serving Tennessee communities
Clinics are hosted in partnership with local community leaders at fairgrounds, gymnasiums, and civic centers. Licensed medical professionals and volunteers treat patients on a first-come, first-served basis with no appointments; ticket numbers are distributed starting at midnight.
History
Founder Stan Brock conceived RAM after suffering a serious horse injury while living among the Wapishana people in Guyana, where he was 26 days of travel from the nearest medical care. Brock, who was born in Preston, England, managed a 4,000-square-mile cattle ranch in British Guiana from 1952 to 1968 and co-hosted NBC's Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom beginning in 1968, founded RAM in 1985. He served as founder and president without compensation until his death in August 2018 at age 82, and was recognized as a CNN Hero in 2012 and with the Lions International Humanitarian Award in 2017.
Scale and impact
RAM reports having served more than one million patients since 1985, at zero cost to patients. Its founder page cites more than 230,000 volunteers and over $215 million in free care delivered.
Financials
According to ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Remote Area Medical (EIN 58-1647546) reported total revenue of $9,244,432, total expenses of $10,349,704, and total assets of $21,908,207 for fiscal year 2025. Contributions accounted for about 81 percent of revenue.
Governance
Remote Area Medical is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax ID 58-1647546, headquartered in Rockford, Tennessee, governed by a board of directors and funded entirely by private donations.