By Southern University
The School of Nursing at Southern University on Thursday unveiled the Jag Mobile, its state-of-the-art custom mobile health unit that will provide services to medically underserved communities within a 50-mile radius of the Baton Rouge campus.
“Today, we are the only historically Black college or university to have a mobile health unit in the state of Louisiana,” said Sandra Brown, dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health. “This will be archived in the School of Nursing history books for years to come.”
Ochsner Health System partnered with the nursing school for the 38-foot-long unit, which will serve as a catalyst to provide more Louisiana residents with access to quality healthcare.
“This partnership is going to go deep, and it is going to be strong and be a part of our initiative to change the health ranking in the state of Louisiana,” said Christy Reeves, vice president for regional community affairs and government relations at Ochsner. “We have a big role ahead of us and this partnership is one of the most special we have at Ochsner.”
The wheelchair-accessible mobile health clinic is fully equipped with two examination rooms that include state-of-the-art equipment that allows telehealth and in-person visits. Both pediatric and adult patients will be served. Southern University undergraduate and graduate nursing students will utilize the mobile clinic to meet clinical learning objectives in conjunction with the School of Nursing’s curriculum.
“Healthcare has been tough for the past two years,” said Courtney Phillips, Louisiana Department of Health secretary. “To see so many people at Southern University and the students wearing their white uniforms lets me know that we still have individuals that are committed to service and the healthcare field, and that you have doubled down on your commitment to serve and educate.”
The School of Nursing is lauded as one of the best nursing programs in the nation. Established in 1986, the School of Nursing at Southern currently offers four degrees: the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialty in family health; Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a major in nursing; and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
