PARIS, IL (Chambana Today) — A large-scale, free mobile medical clinic is set to return to Paris in Edgar County this June, offering dental, vision and general medical services to residents regardless of insurance status, identification or ability to pay.
The event is part of a nationwide effort led by Remote Area Medical (RAM), which operates dozens of pop-up clinics each year across the country. Organizers say the model is fully funded by donations and staffed by volunteers, allowing patients to receive care at no cost.
The upcoming clinic will be held at Paris High School on June 13 and 14, with setup beginning the night before.
The clinic will take place at Paris High School, 14040 E. 1200th Road, Paris. Parking lot opens Friday at 11:59 a.m., and the clinic opens Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m.
Patients will line up on a first-come, first-served basis, with parking opening at midnight and clinic operations beginning early the following morning. Once inside, patients are triaged through intake and directed to dental, vision or medical services.
Organizers say the clinic can include fully equipped dental tents capable of cleanings, fillings and extractions, along with on-site vision services that allow patients to receive eye exams and leave with completed glasses in as little as two hours. Medical services can include basic exams, lab work and other care depending on available volunteers.
Last year’s clinic in Paris served roughly 168 people and provided about $50,000 in free medical services, according to organizers. However, demand for care often exceeds capacity, particularly on the dental side, where staffing shortages remain a limiting factor.
“We could have had more if we had more dentists,” Cam Pepper, chief marketing officer at Longview Capital Corporation, discussed volunteer needs and clinic operations. “We are looking for volunteers. I think we’re in a good spot, but we can always use interpreters, people that do American Sign Language, and intake support and food service help.”
Pepper noted that volunteer staffing directly impacts how many patients can be treated, especially in dental care, where the clinic has the capacity for as many as 30 dental stations but often operates with far fewer providers.
“We had, I believe, seven dentists on Saturday and only like three on Sunday,” he said. “We have the capacity to have 30 dentists on site both days. So that’s our big push right now.”
He also explained that the clinic provides a wide range of services in a mobile setting, including dental care, vision exams and general medical treatment. “If you don’t have medical insurance, if you don’t have payment, if you don’t even have ID, if you don’t want to give your name, we’ll still treat you,” Pepper said.
Organizers say patients are processed through intake after receiving a number in line, then screened with basic checks before being directed to the appropriate care area. Services are prioritized based on demand, and patients are typically limited to one primary service due to volume.
Pepper said one of the biggest challenges remains staffing, particularly with out-of-state medical professionals who face licensing restrictions in Illinois. He said efforts are underway to recruit more in-state providers to expand capacity.
Last year’s clinic highlighted both the need and impact of the event, including cases where patients received major dental work they otherwise could not afford. Organizers said follow-up care is coordinated with local providers and health departments when needed.
Beyond Paris, organizers are also exploring the possibility of expanding similar clinics into Champaign County in the future, potentially timed around major University of Illinois football weekends.
More information about volunteering or services is available through Remote Area Medical and local event outreach pages shared by organizers.