County Mayor Tim Stribling announced at the regular meeting of the county commission that a Remote Area Medical center will be set up early next year in DeKalb County.

The event, operated by the Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps, will visit DeKalb County High School on March 28 and 29, providing free health care services to people of all ages regardless of income. The corps’ last two visits to the county were also hosted by the high school, in August 2005 and November 2010.

The board of education granted the mayor’s request to hold the event at the high school at their monthly meeting Thursday night.

Remote Area Medical is a non-profit, volunteer corps dedicated to providing free health, dental and eye care, and technical and educational assistance to people in remote areas of the United States and the world.

"My vision for Remote Area Medical developed when I suffered a personal injury while living among the Wapishana Indians in Guyana, South America,” said Founder and President Stan Brock on the corps’ website, “I was isolated from medical care, which was about a 26-day journey away. I witnessed the near devastation of whole tribes by what would have been simple or minor illnesses to more advanced cultures. When I left Guyana, I vowed to find a way to deliver basic medical aid to people in the world’s inaccessible regions. So, in 1985 I established the non-profit, Remote Area Medical or as most people know us - RAM. RAM is the way I have kept that promise, not only to the Wapishana Indians, but to thousands around the world in similar conditions. In other words, there are Wapishanas everywhere.”

Founded in 1985, Remote Area Medical is a publicly supported all-volunteer charitable organization. Volunteer doctors, nurses, and support workers participate in expeditions (at their own expense). Medical supplies, medicines, facilities and vehicles are donated.