Many know Tennessee is “The Volunteer State” because of its willingness to send soldiers to the War of 1812. Still, Tennessee continues its legacy of volunteerism and support in many ways. One of the country’s most contributable organizations to offer free medical services began in Knoxville, Tennessee. Remote Area Medical (RAM) was founded in 1985 by Stan Brock, a British philanthropist dedicated to helping people gain access to healthcare including dental and vision. Its primary mission is “preventing pain and alleviating suffering.” Close to one million people have been helped by the organization’s efforts.
Born in Lancashire, England, Stan Brock had an incredible life abundant in cowboy escapades in British Guiana and even became a television star for his wildlife adventures in the Amazon. When injured while training a wild horse, he was told it would take nearly a month to reach the closest doctor. He realized that access to healthcare was a problem for many, and later decided his life’s work would be to find a solution.
Recent studies estimate that 27 million Americans are uninsured and even more are underinsured. Stan Brock desired to bridge that gap by “providing free dental, vision and medical care through pop-up clinics across the U.S.”
The organization was originally meant “to bring free medical care to inaccessible regions of the Amazon rainforest.” Still, Brock soon recognized a significant need in the U.S., especially in the Appalachian region. He established RAM’s headquarters in an abandoned school building in South Knoxville where he paid a measly $1 a year in rent. The first RAM clinic in the U.S. was in Sneedville, Tennessee. He fell in love with the beauty of the region and the people of Appalachia for their kindness, gratitude and volunteerism. Eventually, the non-profit outgrew the old school, and its headquarters moved to a significantly larger building in Rockford, Tennessee.
Since its inception, “more than 1,300 expeditions have been held,” and more than $200 million worth of medical, dental and vision services have been provided. According to its website, the pop-up clinics offer dental cleanings, fillings and extractions, eye exams and glasses made on-site, and general medical services that include preventative screenings and educational resources.
Despite Stan Brock’s death in 2018, RAM’s mission remains alive thanks to the countless volunteers who are the cornerstone of the non-profit. Brock was rightfully “posthumously inducted into the Tennessee Healthcare Hall of Fame” last year. While alive, he took no salary and every penny went to RAM’s cause. He slept on a mat on the floor of his office and his diet consisted of porridge and fruit.
2025 marks RAM’s 40th anniversary and there are many opportunities to get involved this year. Its calendar is full of pop-up clinics. In addition, RAM now offers telehealth services in some areas and general support is sought for these events. Clinics have been held across the U.S. including California, Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and Tennessee.
ETSU has a RAM chapter club for those interested in getting involved. Anyone can volunteer as there are opportunities for students, medical professionals and general support. Registering on RAM’s website is easy and there are plenty of openings to volunteer this year. Donations can also be made through the organization’s website. The 2011 documentary “Remote Area Medical” highlights a pop-up clinic in Bristol, Tennessee, and can be viewed on Tubi for free as well as “Medicine Man: The Story of Stan Brock.” Stan Brock’s legacy continues through RAM as many people still receive treatment thanks to his efforts and the many volunteers that continue to support its mission.