On October 17-18, 2026, Emmanuel-Brinklow SDA church hosted Remote Area Medical (RAM) on the campus of Takoma Academy and TA Prep, it was absolutely amazing!
The days started at 5am with volunteers arriving for breakfast, receiving orientation and being positioned at their stations as the doors opened at 6am, signaling the start of the day.
Day 1 was a cold, raw, rainy morning as we met a parking lot overwhelmed with waiting cars and a growing number of walk-ups waiting in the TA Prep's gym.
We registered 817 individuals who went on to receive 975 medical encounters and referrals including:
Dental exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, pharmaceuticals, Medical exams, Women's Health breast exams, pregnancy tests, urine tests, pap smears, Pediatric exams, Flu shots, Vision exams, eye pressure screening, eye glass Rx with glasses being made in the eye lab on site (they wore their new glasses home the same day)!!!
Our Community Partners logged in an additional 1,256 non-medical patient encounters through such services as:
Narcan Education, Stop the Bleed demos, Poision Control education, Hearing Loss Prevention, Bystander CPR training, Teen impaired driving education (they had you to walk the line), Dietetic and Nutrition teaching with samples, Spiritual Care backpack (giveaways), Legal services (immigration support), Latina mental health support, Colon health education, Healthy family resources, Hair cuts, Pets on Wheels (pet therapy), Laundry services on site (yes, we washed their clothes) and Community referrals given for follow-up care.
Families also took home 1,025 food, hygiene and baby care items:
Sack lunches, Personal hygiene bags, Dental hygiene packs, Grocery bags, Diapers, T- shirts and other children's giveaways.
In partnership with Sligo SDA Church and Takoma Park SDA Church with whom we could not manage without, assisted with our delicious meals and also carried the load of facility rentals, we say "Thank you". God has used you both in a mighty way to show the community how much we care through being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Media and Radio promotions:
EBC A/V and Youth Photographers, WPFW 89.3 FM, AEC media, NPR radio, and ZDF German Television.
Together with RAM, five Colleges and Universities along with the Public Health Services, provided professional, innovative, state of the art care and services while delivering the newest trends in non-invasive dentistry.
Takoma Academy and TA Prep's Principals and Administrative staff, none of this would be possible without your support. You altered your schedules and opened your doors that we might minister to the marginalized in our communities, "Kudos to you!"
There are many who expressed a desire to visit our churches, volunteer at upcoming events, and are sharing with their friends and families how their lives have been changed for the better, because they came to receive services at the RAM clinic. Others have created career goals due to exposure in the resource area of the clinic. Please keep these individuals and this ministry in your prayers.
It is our sincere desire to return next year on September 24-26, 2027 with RAM (Friday set-up) and two day clinic, prayerfully consider maintaining this collaborative partnership and continuing this extremely meaningful outreach.
Special thanks to the pastors of the Emmanuel- Brinklow SDA Church, Sligo SDA Church and Takoma Park SDA church for your unwavering support.