ASHTABULA, Ohio — The Remote Area Medical Clinic (RAM) returned to Ashtabula this weekend at Lakeside High School after a two-year hiatus from the pandemic.

In 2018, Ashtabula was the first in the state of Ohio to offer an RAM clinic to the community. Community members and medical professionals from across the country volunteered their time to help the underinsured and uninsured. RAM provides free medical, eye and dental care with the help of over 800 volunteers.

“For people who have to choose, ‘Do I pay for my prescription drugs or my kids’ extracurricular activities or do I go to the dentist,’ it can be a tough choice for them,” the county commissioner said. ‘Ashtabula, JP Ducro. “It’s an opportunity for them not to have to sacrifice anything else to get the medical, dental or vision care they need. It’s small town America showing its stuff.

Ashtabula has offered the RAM clinic twice, providing nearly $1.5 million in free care. This weekend, clinic organizers said they helped more than 500 patients.

In a recent News 5 storyDr. Debra Balogh-Crombie said 40% of Ohioans don’t have dental insurance.

“People come in embarrassed to open their mouths and very hesitant and they walk out smiling from ear to ear,” she said. “Payment is a thank you and a hug. It’s food for the soul here.