A mobile medical and dental truck that appeared this semester on campus eventually will give OCU healthcare students a hands-on learning experience.
The truck is housed under an awning on the northwest corner of the parking lot north of Cokesbury Court Apartments. The approximately $600,000 truck, which OCU does not own, will be staffed by students in the physicians assistant program once it begins.
The program is set to begin in Fall 2016. This will be the second PA program in Oklahoma.
Students in the program will receive graduate training in medicine.
The truck is owned by Good Shepherd Ministries, an Oklahoma City organization dedicated to providing health care to people who can’t afford insurance.
The organization uses the truck to provide medical and dental care to other parts of the city.
“Physician assistant students will have the opportunity to see patients that come through the unit,” said Dan McNeill, clinical professor and director of the physician assistant program.
McNeill said officials also hope students studying in Kramer School of Nursing can use the unit.
Until then, Good Shepherd Ministries is using the unit at local homeless shelters and at other areas of need.
The inside of the truck includes a medical examination room, a reception area and a dental operatory.
“PA students will really benefit from this,” said Ronnie Brown, cell and molecular biology junior.
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