During the Month of April, the students in the Dental Assistant program at Ross Medical Education Center in Johnson City, Tennessee volunteered their time with Healing Hands Health Center to provide care for veterans in their area. They spent time doing whatever they could to support this wonderful and impactful organization. Many students were grateful to have the opportunity to serve those that have fought for their freedom.
The Healing Hands Health Center was started in 1997 by First Presbyterian Church of Bristol, Tennessee. Members of their mission committee had discovered that more than a million Americans go without health insurance annually. They were inspired to open a free clinic to meet this need, and 100 community members attended their initial planning meeting. Just 18 months later, the center opened. They now provide services for their working, uninsured neighbors including chiropractic, eye exams and glasses, dental exams and cleanings, and much more.
Staff of Healing Hands Health Center was very pleased with the visit from the Dental Assistant students, saying, “thank you all so much for your help with the Healing Hands Free Dental Day for Veterans. Over 85 Veterans received service and we can’t thank you enough!” Students that participated were inspired and encouraged that they had selected the correct education and career path. Many of them shared after the fact about their experience serving at the Healing Hands Health Center:
“I was grateful to have the privilege of working with the Veterans and give back to them for all they have done for me and my country.”
Jennifer Sartain | Dental Assistant student
“The Healing Hands Staff were wonderful, very knowledgeable, and made my volunteer experience amazing!”
Brooke Begley | Dental Assistant student
“Getting to volunteer for Healing Hands Veteran’s Day was a wonderful learning experience for me. Being able to help the men and women who have served our country was a blessing because without their bravery, we wouldn’t have our freedom. It made me feel great knowing that our veterans left Healing Hands not only feeling better, but with a smile on their faces. I would love to volunteer again! God bless our veterans!”
Starla Mathes | Dental Assistant student
“Thank you so much for allowing me to volunteer for the Veteran’s Dental Day. It was an amazing experience. I learned so much and really felt blessed to be able to work with everyone and learn from them throughout the day. Being able to help the patients and seeing how grateful they were for our help was truly humbling and heartwarming. I would gladly volunteer for this event in the future.”
Rebecca Labreau | Dental Assistant student
“After the event was over, I received a phone call from one of the doctors that our students volunteered with, expressing his appreciation. He went on to say that he was very impressed with our student’s knowledge and ability to maintain a calm demeanor in a stressful situation. He was reluctant to have volunteers that he had never worked with before and is now open to working with our students and graduates in the future. I am so incredibly proud of all of my students but especially the young women who showed up to volunteer and represent me as an instructor and Ross in such an impressive and professional manner.”
Jenny Hopson | Dental Assistant Instructor