In an ambitious effort to promote health equity, Jackson State University has unveiled the Wellness on Wheels mobile lab. The cutting-edge initiative is designed to deliver vital health services directly to communities throughout Mississippi. The launch reflects the College of Health Sciences’ commitment to quality education, research, and service while preparing future leaders to address significant public health issues locally, nationally, and beyond.
Enhancing Education and Health
The Wellness on Wheels mobile lab aims to reduce health disparities in the state by providing essential services such as speech, language, hearing, and public health screenings straight to residents. By reaching out to children and adults across diverse regions, the initiative seeks to dismantle barriers to healthcare access and enhance opportunities for prevention, education, and intervention.
“The Wellness on Wheels Health, Hearing, and Communication mobile lab exemplifies our commitment to expanding our educational strategies, ensuring that we fulfill our mission of producing students who think critically, address societal problems, and compete effectively, said Associate Provost Dr. Brandi Newkirk-Turner. “It’s yet another way we empower JSU students to translate classroom knowledge into practical skills, equipping them to tackle real-world issues and make a meaningful impact in their communities.”
Providing Real World Experience
Dr. Newkirk-Turner acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Whitney Perkins, chair of the Department of Communicative Disorders, and Dr. Jennifer Wiles, an audiologist and program director, for their extensive planning and collaborative efforts in bringing the mobile lab project to fruition. They worked alongside Dr. Yalanda Barner in public health and Dr. Russell Bennett, interim dean of the College of Health.
Perkins highlighted the importance of experiential learning in enhancing students’ educational journeys. “Experiential learning bridges the gap between classroom concepts and real-world experiences,” she explained. “This makes the academic journey from learning to practice both meaningful and dynamic. Traditional learning still plays a vital role in academia. However, experiential learning is a high-impact practice that challenges students to think critically, apply knowledge, promote self-reflection, and ultimately, build confidence.” She emphasized the need for graduates equipped to tackle pressing health and societal challenges that will ultimately improve the quality of life for individuals and communities.
On Board the Wellness on Wheels Lab
The Wellness on Wheels mobile lab boasts a range of features that enhance its service delivery and educational capabilities, including:
– A soundproof audiological testing room with adjustable-height tables and chairs
– Additional seating and a one-way observation window
– Audio and video presentation capabilities
– Wi-Fi connectivity
– Internal cameras for clinical session observation and teaching
– External security cameras
– Dedicated consultation/testing areas for speech, language, and public health screenings
– A receptionist area for managing patient intake
– ADA accessibility with a wheelchair lift
– Running water, storage cabinets, and a small refrigerator
– An electric roll-up exterior awning for outdoor use
A Collaborative Project
The Wellness on Wheels mobile lab is made possible through a collaborative $5 million grant awarded to JSU and Mississippi College to enhance public health programming in the region.
A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Wellness on Wheels mobile lab is planned, alongside a grand opening for the Interdisciplinary Public Health Experiential Lab, another innovative teaching space funded through the same grant.