FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2010 Contact: James Bolden 213-200-5314
Aurelio Rojas 213-974-2222
SUPERVISOR RIDLEY-THOMAS JOINS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN PROCLAIMING REMOTE AREA MEDICAL WEEK IN THE
LOS ANGELES – With two weeks left before the County’s largest mega free medical clinic at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas today recognized the organizers of RAM/LA, leading the Board in proclaiming the week of April 27 through May 3 as “Remote Area Medical Week” in
The Supervisor used the observance to thank RAM founder Stan Brock and others in the volunteer organization, which provides a multitude of free health services, including dental and vision care throughout the world. He encouraged residents who are uninsured or underinsured to take advantage of the free services.
“Thank you to our partners: Don Manelli of RAM/LA, Dr. Jonathan Fielding and Dr. John Schunhoff, who have joined me today, for their commitment to providing these much-needed services to our residents,” the Supervisor said.
“In addition to demonstrating the tremendous need for health care reform, this free clinic will also make evident the immense demand for quality health care services that our County and its safety net partners strive to meet on a daily basis.”
RAM/LA will host the second annual free health clinic April 27 to May 3 from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each Day, an estimated 1,200 patients will be treated daily. In addition to immediate care, RAM/LA will emphasize health education, prevention, and self-care.
RAM/LA organizer Don Manelli thanked the Board for its commitment to enhancing the quality of care at this year’s RAM/LA clinic.
“The loan of equipment from the Department of Health Services will expand the equipment component for the clinic,” Manelli said, “we are still working on the human component – volunteers.”
The Supervisor noted that a number of contributors are directly responsible for making this event a reality, in an even larger way than the previous year.
“I wish to acknowledge the support of the Board, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Health Services, and our many County departments, whose contributions will help ensure that this year's effort is even more successful than last year's effort.”
He also recognized the hard work and efforts of the staff of the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission, Los Angeles Sports Arena, Exposition Park, and other organizations that stepped up to make the event a reality at no cost to tax payers or the County.
In order to receive services at this year's RAM/LA clinic, residents must obtain a wristband at the Sports Arena on Sunday, April 25. Information about wristband distribution can be found at http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/blog.
The Supervisor noted that thousands of medically-trained and non-medically trained volunteers are still needed for the clinic. The greatest need is for dentists, optometrists, ophthalmologists and other specialty physicians, to effectively meet the needs of the patients.
For more information on the RAM/LA clinic or to obtain volunteer information, please visit www.ramfreeclinic.org.
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