OLEAN, N.Y. — More than 400 people received free health care during the Remote Area Medical clinic held Sept. 13-14 at the Olean YMCA.
Paula Snyder, executive director of SUNY Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus, and Dr. Jim Mahar of St. Bonaventure University served as co-chairs and helped organize the clinic.
Final numbers showed 416 patients, including 39 children, received medical, dental and vision services free of charge. The total value of care was more than $273,000.
Much of the care was provided by 318 community volunteers, including health professionals, general volunteers, and faculty and students. BonaResponds, led by Mahar and the volunteer group representing St. Bonaventure, and longtime RAM leader and volunteer Reed McElfresh partnered with JCC and other local organizations to plan, organize and support the clinic.
“I never lose sight of the contributions of the RAM steering committee, who began supporting and meeting with us in January 2025,” Snyder said. “Community organizations, our spiritual communities, private entities, individuals, foundations — so many contributed their time and treasure for RAM.
from right, at the September clinic in the Olean YMCA.
“In addition to being part of the steering committee, community individuals would sign up to help and, in turn, convince their partner or spouse and other family members to volunteer. How do you not experience a special kind of gratitude for that type of volunteerism to make our area a better place for those who are so challenged in this rural community with health needs?”
Faculty, students and employees from JCC, St. Bonaventure, Canisius University, SUNY Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, the University at Buffalo School of Dentistry, the Cattaraugus County Health Department and other organizations came together — many traveling long distances to donate their time.
“The remarkable collaboration among local organizations in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties demonstrates our community’s commitment to supporting those who are financially or medically marginalized or who have limited health insurance that covers so little,” Snyder said. “It’s a powerful reminder of what our community can do when we unite to care for our neighbors.
“I’m especially grateful to the Olean YMCA for opening its doors to us. The clinic could never have happened without the Y’s support and their team that assisted us for three remarkable days of hard work. I am grateful as well to Olean General Hospital and Universal Primary Care for helping promote the clinic and for their administration and providers’ assistance.”
Snyder also thanked the health care professionals who supported RAM.
“Local doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, optometrists, opticians and those in the dental field stepped up and gave up their weekend for 13-hour days, barely stopping for a cup of coffee or a bite of food,” Snyder said. “And some of our local providers volunteer for this clinic every time we hold this event.”
Led by JCC and BonaResponds, this RAM clinic was the third hosted in Olean since 2021. The last clinic, held in 2023, also took place at the YMCA, while the first clinic was held on the JCC campus in 2021. More than 1,000 people have received care at the three Olean clinics.
JCC and BonaResponds also partnered to run a RAM clinic in 2024 on JCC’s Jamestown Campus.
“The numbers tell part of the story, but what they don’t show are the lives touched,” Mahar said. “Behind every number is a neighbor who found relief, hope and the reminder they’re not alone. This clinic is about more than health care. It’s also about dignity, friendship, and what a community can do when it comes together. I’m thankful to all who made it happen.”
Snyder added: “We had such heartwarming experiences with the patients. Every patient had a story, and we heard them — stories of people waiting a year for dental care, cleanings, fillings and extractions until this clinic came to town. Children receiving glasses for the first time and being able to really see well or having their teeth cleaned for the first time because they have no insurance or limited access to dentists or eye care.
“Hearing stories from patients leaving the clinic so happy and so grateful brings this RAM team joy as well,” Snyder continued. “And we are a team — so many working together. No entity is more important or more valuable than another. For three days we all come together to make this event work.”
Since 1985, Remote Area Medical has delivered free health care through mobile pop-up clinics across the United States. These clinics provide quality medical services to underserved and uninsured individuals who lack access to, or cannot afford, care. To date, RAM has provided care to nearly 1 million people.