We are happy to share about a new movie that will be released in movie theaters nationwide on November 14th. The name of the movie is Medicine Man, The Stan Brock story. Stan sold everything he owned and founded a small charity with the aim of bringing basic healthcare to people in the developing world. 

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The story of Stan Brock is very interesting all on its own but it holds special importance to our dental office because this is an organization that Dr. Stannard has volunteered with since 2001. 

Below is a description of the movie and a letter from Dr. Stannard sharing about his experience with Stan Brock and his time volunteering. We have also included some of Dr. Stannards pictures.

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Watch A Video To Learn More

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About the movie:

A timeless documentary adventure recounting the incredible life story of British-born Amazonian cowboy turned US TV star, Stan Brock, who sacrificed everything to bring free healthcare to people in need. At once a heart-warming tribute to the unifying power of volunteerism, and an exploration of a perennial outsider’s search for meaning through giving of himself. This film is a challenging and inspirational tale of an unlikely man on an improbable yet unwavering mission to unite a nation and resolve one of the biggest social issues of our time: the US healthcare crisis.

Stan Brock was an errant British adventurer who fled his stuffy public school as a teenager and boarded a ship bound for British Guiana, where he went on to become an Amazonian cowboy on the world’s biggest cattle ranch. He was later discovered by a TV producer who brought him to the United States and turned him into an anaconda-wrestling wildlife TV star, featuring weekly on “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom”. However, in 1985 Stan decided to forsake fame and wealth for a higher calling.

Stan sold everything he owned and founded a small charity with the aim of bringing basic healthcare to people in the developing world, vowing never to take a salary for his efforts. Yet by 1992, Remote Area Medical had switched its focus to running relief missions closer to home. It now dedicates the majority of its resources to providing free healthcare services to people in the most depressed regions of the US, where millions of uninsured can go for years without seeing a doctor or a dentist. To date, RAM has helped nearly 1 million people through the efforts of more than 196,000 volunteers.

So who was this enigmatic Englishman, and why did he sacrifice everything to bring free healthcare to people in need? This feature-length documentary examines the shocking paradox of pop-up field hospitals in the world’s most affluent nation, while recounting Stan Brock’s extraordinary life story. It is a challenging and inspirational tale of an unlikely man on an improbable yet unwavering mission to unite a nation and resolve one of the biggest social issues of our time: the US healthcare crisis.

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Please find the letter below from Dr. Stannard sharing about his experience with Remote Area Medical, Stan Brock and his time spent volunteering.

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Remote Area Medical is an incredible story. I first met Stan Brock when I did my first mission trip for him  to a mid-size Town in east Tennessee approximately the summer of 2001.   I was absolutely blown away by many things, the fledgling organization, the crazy long lines for care and commitment of the many very hard working volunteers both medical and support.  On that trip I brought with me three dental assistants that are still working at our office today, Delaine Lewis, Sandi Raetzke and Tricia Alessi.  We worked 10 hours that first day, standing up on cement. I had five chairs and removed 107 teeth.  

Since then the organization has grown wildly.  I have done 8 mission trips with RAM and three others here in Michigan with Missions of Mercy, an MDA supported volunteer organization. My son Blaine Stannard MD started serving with me in high school and has done five now.  His cousin Tyler Stannard MD,  joined us two times and a couple on his own.  Both young men have recently become medical doctors as adults.  Soon we plan to schedule a mission trip together.  This will be the first one since they have become licensed and we will work as Dr Stannrd, Dr Stannard and Dr Stannard. 

Ram's sole purpose is to highlight and address the huge need for people who simply can not afford proper medical and dental care.  My experience is at these events we mostly see the working poor.  People who have full time employment yet can't make ends meet.  They are gracious and appreciate the gift.   

On these weekends we have worked in gyms, cafeterias , airplane hangars , tents and two times in the pit garage at Bristol Motor Speedway.  

I am happy to assist in the promotion of this cause, to support the overall mission of this wonderful benevolent organization.  

Attached are some pictures.  

One mission in the mountains of Tennessee was parachute supported.. (long story).  That one was part of a 60 Minutes feature. 

Photos of tents we worked in, my tent I slept in, the airplanes we used to air drop the supplies and team. 

The air to air photos I took from the plane that 60 Minutes filmed from.

Sincerely,

Sean  

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