Fran Pisko was attending a conference and decided to sleep in her vehicle.
Stone Bridge Lions Club member Patrick Ahearn received a years of service Chevron Award presented by Lions Club District 14 Governor Fran Stepkovitch. STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON
She got cold, and searched the internet for ways to stay warm.
As she read through tips and stories, she happened on information about Remote Area Medical (RAM), a free clinic that provides health care services, including vision and dental care, at no costs to patients.
“I thought it was amazing,” Pisko said, adding she instantly wanted to bring a RAM clinic to the area. Her family agreed that there was a need and they set to work contacting people in the community.
Pisko was connected to the Penn State Remote Area Medical chapter and together they are bringing the RAM Clinic to the Susquehanna area – which will be the first RAM clinic held in Pennsylvania.
The event will take place June 27-28, at the Susquehanna Community High School, 3192 Turnpike St., Susquehanna.
The medical, vision and dental care are provided at no cost to patients, on a first come-first served basis. “Everything provided at the clinic is free,” Pisko said. “It doesn’t matter where you live. It is open to everyone, all ages.”
Pisko and Penn State RAM got a financial boost from the Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Service Foundation, along with the Northeast Pennsylvania Society, the Jessup Lions Club and the Stone Bridge Lions Club with a $10,500 donation presented at the Stone Bridge Lions meeting last week.
Pisko told Lions Club members that the donation would put a “big dent” in the fundraising goal of about $30,000. Any extra funds raised, she said, can be used for follow-up care and towards setting up the clinic again next year.
Fundraising will also help to feed and house some of the volunteers coming in to work at the clinic.
The RAM can serve about 300-500 patients in the two-day time period.
On Saturday, the clinic will be open from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; and on Sunday, it is open from 6 a.m.-noon.
Pisko said volunteers are needed to help during the event.
Anyone wishing to volunteer can register at volunteer.ramusa.org; or email: volunteers@ramusa.org or call 865-579-1530.
Services provided by the clinic include::
*free dental: fillings, cleanings and extractions;
*free vision: eye exams, glaucoma testing, and eyeglasses made on-site;
*free medical: general medical, women’s health and more.
Local health care providers, such as Barnes-Kasson and EMHS, are working with RAM to provide lab testing and follow-up care.
“Our biggest issue is finding dentists and eye doctors in the area because there are so few,” Pisko said.
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