800 patients receive health, dental and vision care at free Bradenton clinic

MANATEE -- Facing serious health concerns, and without insurance, 51-year-old Pamela Jablonski found herself out of options, until she heard that Remote Area Medical USA planned two days of free clinics in the Bradenton area.

"It's like God spoke to me," Jablonksi, a self-employed owner of a small company that repairs and restores fine art, said when she heard that RAM would be offering free medical screening and care.

She arrived at Manatee Technical College, 6305 S.R. 70 E., at 3 a.m. Saturday to get a ticket. Hundreds of people without a doctor or health insurance were already there ahead of her.

Still, she felt lucky to get a ticket, number 489. Organizers stopped giving out tickets shortly after 6:30 a.m., when 800 persons had signed up for care.

Those who were turned away were asked to come back Sunday, when tickets will again be distributed at 3 a.m.

"I want to get my heart checked. I want to get a lot of things checked. My grandmother died at 62 from breast cancer," Jablonski said.

"There aren't a whole lot of options for someone like me. It's really hard," said Jablonski, who displayed a cheery bravery in spite of her health concerns.

Saturday, Manatee Technical College was packed with hundreds of patients and more than 700 volunteers, for an epic day of medical, dental and vision care.

Jablonski came away with a new set of glasses, a good initial report on her heart, and vouchers for other diagnostic tests.

It was an impressive operation, she said, adding that she didn't know what to expect.

"Normally physicians go to medical school to help. This free clinic makes our day," said Dr. Fabian Ramos, president of the Manatee County Medical Society. That sentiment seemed to be the theme of the day for caregivers and patients alike. Medical providers offered care with respect and smiles, and patients received it with gratitude and humility.

"We are blessed to be here," said Davis W. Graham of Manatee Diagnostic Care, which was providing 150 free mammograms, valued at about $20,000.

"This should be an eye-opener for America about what health insurance is not doing," Graham said. The sight of so many people without medical care could not fail to stir emotions.

"I will have to admit when I saw all these people lined up, I burst into tears," said County Commissioner Betsy Benac who came to serve as a volunteer. "This will give us a lot of good information on the types of services that we need."

People who needed medical care started arriving at the campus at 7 p.m. Friday, said Doug Wagner, director of Manatee Technical College. "People slept in their cars overnight, and the whole a parking lot was full."

Looking at the entrance prior to 7 a.m. Saturday, Wagner said drivers were pulling up, and then leaving when they learned all tickets had been distributed.

"It starts again at 3 o'clock Sunday," Wagner said.

Among those who showed up early was 62-year-old Frank Curry of Sarasota, who wanted to have his 13 remaining teeth pulled.

"They are very painful and I catch hell eating. I can't remember the last time I could eat solid food, and I have lost so much weight," Curry said.

Still, with ticket number 437, Curry felt like he was one of the lucky ones.

James Mallia, 55, of Bradenton, needed to have his duct-taped glasses replaced.

"I got here last night at midnight," Mallia said. Disabled after an accident, he has no insurance or job.

"It's a hard road to go down, but the sun comes up every day," Mallia said. "I live for the day that everyone has free insurance so that no one is any better than anyone else."

Dr. Joe Smiddy of Kingsport, Tenn., was one of the volunteers who came to assist with the RAM clinic.

"This is a tremendous location. This is one of the best setups I have seen," said Smiddy, a veteran of more than 40 RAM clinics.

At the center of the clinic was a huge dental area where dozens of patients were getting exams and cleanings.

"They are treating those in acute pain. These folks aren't anywhere near the ballpark of restoration," Smiddy said of the overwhelming need.

Chelsea Wright, 21, came from Sarasota to get dental care. She is employed but doesn't have dental insurance.

"It's crazy. I didn't expect anything like this," Wright said of the crowd of people seeking help.

Her boyfriend, Mike Red, said there are many more in the community who need help who did not attend the clinic.

Lionel Standish, 53, of Bradenton left downtown Bradenton on his bicycle at midnight and pedaled 90 minutes to get to the clinic.

Unemployed and without insurance, Standish said that when he read about the clinic in the Bradenton Herald, he decided he needed to try to get a ticket.

"This is so cool and amazing," Standish said as he awaited new frames and lenses.

Sitting nearby was Rhyan Dorsey and her five year-old daughter, Rhyan II.

"I work but I don't have health insurance. This is exactly what people need: helping hands," Dorsey said.

Dr. Richard Conard, event chairman of Florida-Ram, estimated the value of the free care at $1 million to $1.2 million.

"My fondest hope is that this starts a constructive conversation for providing care to under-served or non-served citizens. We are at a point of asking, how do we take care of what we see today?" Conard said.

Manatee County has been struggling with how to provide indigent health care after its contract with Manatee Memorial Hospital expired. It's the first time in 30 years that Manatee has not had an indigent healthcare contract with a local hospital.

"If this doesn't touch anybody's heart in Manatee County then I will be shocked," said County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, who volunteered at the clinic. "And for those who think that we don't have a problem, I challenge you to come down here tomorrow. Come here at 5:30 a.m. and get in line to volunteer or just come out here and talk to people in the parking lot. These people need help. That's what my job, and our job in government, is."

Among volunteers at this weekend's clinic were healthcare students from Manatee Technical College.

"This is like a baptism by fire for our students. This reaffirms their choice of career," said Priscilla Haflich, assistant director of MTC.

James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twitter@jajones1.

This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 3:41 PM with the headline "800 patients receive health, dental and vision care at free Bradenton clinic ."