This past December, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Louisiana received a gift with long-term impact, two mobile medical units designed to expand healthcare access throughout Northeast Louisiana. Delivered in partnership with the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, these units represent a major step toward bringing medical services directly to rural and underserved communities. But like any meaningful gift, the true value comes not just from unwrapping it, but from learning how to use it.
To ensure the units can be safely and effectively used for future community care, a team of faculty and staff participated in hands-on training this July, learning every detail necessary to roll out these clinics for service.
The two custom-built units are equipped for real-world healthcare delivery. Each features private exam rooms with diagnostic equipment, clinical workspaces, phlebotomy stations, lavatories, and, in the larger unit, a wheelchair-accessible lift. Adorned with bold VCOM-Louisiana branding and images of local students, the mobile clinics stand as a visual promise of outreach and opportunity.
These mobile medical units are a powerful extension of our mission. They not only help bring care to areas that often go without, but they also give our students vital, hands-on experience in real-world outreach. This recent training was an important step to ensure we're ready to take these clinics into the field. When our students learn to serve with both skill and compassion, it’s our communities that benefit—with care that meets them right where they are.
While they have not yet been deployed for patient care, the mobile units are intended to offer services such as preventative screenings, primary and geriatric care, immunizations, and disaster relief. They will also serve as an essential extension of VCOM’s educational mission, providing students with the opportunity to engage directly with the community through hands-on outreach once operations are fully underway.
To prepare for that next step, VCOM-Louisiana collaborated with Mission Mobile Medical, The Mobile Healthcare Company, for a comprehensive two-day training session led by instructor Troy Watson. Participants received a comprehensive introduction to the clinics, both inside and out. They explored generators, electronic systems, and clinical equipment and learned to safely drive, maneuver, and park the large vehicles, including techniques for navigating tight spaces and practicing defensive driving.
Reflecting on the training at VCOM-Louisiana, Watson added, “What stood out most to me during the training was how committed your team was to understanding every part of the mobile clinic, not just the ‘how,’ but the ‘why’ behind each step. Y’all came in with the right mindset: curious, focused, and ready to get hands-on. That kind of attitude makes a big difference, especially in mobile healthcare, where flexibility and attention to detail really matter. It was clear your team takes pride in doing things right and serving others well.”
Darryl Dozier, director for facilities at VCOM-Louisiana, remarked, "This training gave me the hands-on skills to set up and transport mobile medical units safely. If they don't reach the communities that need them, they can't make an impact. I'm now better prepared to help deliver care where it's needed most. I would especially like to assist in disaster-affected areas in the future.”
Additional participants highlighted the value of the training. Dr. Christopher Clark, an assistant professor of family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine, shared, “The most valuable part of the experience was being trained by a professional who lives and breathes mobile medical units. It was great to hear the insight from the professional instructor as well as the one-on-one training he provided when operating the large vehicles. This has given me the confidence to drive the vehicles out into the community. The training allowed me not only to see inside the vehicles but also to explore areas that I might have missed during my first observation outside the vehicle. I hope the mobile medical units help provide students with real-life medical experience by interacting with patients in the community.”
Ethan Terral, application services specialist and admission recruiter, also appreciated the opportunity to get behind the wheel. “Since I am not a doctor, I will not be using most of the features of the mobile units, but it's nice to know that I can help our doctors and community by being able to drive our mobile units safely. Getting VCOM’s name into our community with the mobile units will be an exciting achievement that I look forward to assisting with.”
As VCOM-Louisiana looks ahead, the mobile medical units stand ready, poised to become a powerful tool for community health, student education, and regional connection. When the wheels hit the road this fall for patient care, the training will have laid a strong foundation for future outreach. With preparation, purpose, and a deep commitment to service, VCOM is poised to deliver compassionate, high-quality care directly to those who need it most, one mile, one community, and one patient at a time.
