East High School Gymnasium Transforms Into Temporary Clinic
More than 475 people received free medical, dental, and vision care on Saturday as a two-day pop-up clinic returned to Columbus, Ohio. The Remote Area Medical clinic took over the gymnasium at East High School, offering services to anyone regardless of their insurance status.
Volunteers provided physicals, women’s health services, and vaccinations alongside dental cleanings, fillings, and vision screenings. U.S. Census figures show that roughly 10.1% of people under age 65 lack health coverage in Franklin County.
Student Volunteer Treats Pediatric Patients in Gymnasium Setting
Sophia Bernard, a fourth-year dental student at Ohio State University, participated as a clinic volunteer for the second year in a row, gaining experience treating patients outside the standard classroom environment. She spent much of Saturday performing restorative dental work and treating pediatric patients, estimating she saw five or six people throughout the day.
A lot of my pediatric patients, it was the first time that they had ever been introduced to the dentist,
Bernard said. She noted that working in a gymnasium setting with limited instruments and light taught her to adapt and provide the best care possible.
Saturday alone brought more than 300 individuals to the dental section, highlighting a heavy demand for those treatments. Sunday services add additional providers, including a podiatrist.
No Identification or Insurance Required
The clinic does not require identification, proof of insurance, or even a patient’s legal name. Gabrielle Morrison, a Remote Area Medical volunteer involved with the Columbus clinics for about two years, said volunteers regularly hear from people who have lost coverage or cannot afford private care.
We’re here to serve the people. We’re here to give them free, quality health care that they might not be able to get at a private practice,
Morrison said. She recalled a patient last year who received her first pair of glasses in decades, allowing her to see properly for the first time since she was a teenager.
The Remote Area Medical clinic continues on Sunday, Nov. 8, at East High School in Columbus. Services are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached, with doors opening at 6 a.m.
