By Rachel James-Terry
[Jackson, Miss] – The College of Health Sciences at Jackson State University (JSU) has launched the Wellness on Wheels mobile lab, a state-of-the-art unit designed to bring essential health services directly to Mississippi communities – literally meeting individuals where they are. This forward-thinking project also aligns with the college’s mission to provide quality teaching, research, and service while training team-oriented leaders who can address health and societal issues impacting the quality of life and well-being on local, state, national, and global levels.
The Wellness on Wheels mobile lab is part of an effort to reduce health disparities in Mississippi by delivering critical services—including speech, language, hearing, and public health screenings—directly to residents. By traveling to children and adults throughout the state, the lab aims to remove barriers to healthcare access, 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.”
Newkirk-Turner also extended gratitude to Dr. Whitney Perkins, chair of the Department of Communicative Disorders, and Dr. Jennifer Wiles, an audiologist and program director in the same department, for their meticulous planning of the mobile lab.
The initiative also included collaboration with Dr. Yalanda Barner, assistant professor in Public Health, and Dr. Russell Bennett, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences. Together, they worked across multiple campus units to bring this long-held vision to life.
“For our students, experiential learning bridges the gap between classroom concepts and real-world experiences. As professors, we teach the theoretical knowledge that students need to learn in their discipline. However, it is the hands-on experiences that make the theoretical knowledge come to life,” said Perkins. “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.”
Perkins added that the students she described are needed to address health and societal issues that will improve the health and quality of life for individuals and communities at the local, state, and national levels.
Mobile Lab Features
The Wellness on Wheels mobile lab is equipped with numerous features designed to enhance service delivery and educational opportunities, including:
- A soundproof audiological testing room with adjustable-height tables and chairs
- Additional seating outside the testing room with a one-way observation window
- Audio and video capabilities for presentations
- Wi-fi connectivity
- Internal cameras for clinical session observation and teaching
- External security cameras
- A consultation/testing area for speech, language, and public health screenings
- A receptionist area for intake form completion
- ADA accessibility with a wheelchair lift
- Running water for handwashing, cabinets for storage, and a small refrigerator
- A weather guard electric roll-up exterior awning for outdoor use
This comprehensive setup allows JSU students in health sciences, particularly those studying communicative disorders, public health, and healthcare administration, to gain hands-on, real-life experience in a mobile clinical setting.
Grant Funding
The Wellness on Wheels mobile lab is funded by a grant partnership between Jackson State University and Mississippi College. This collaborative initiative received a $5 million grant to enhance public health programming in Mississippi.
What’s Next?
A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Wellness on Wheels mobile lab is planned, along with a grand opening for the Interdisciplinary Public Health Experiential Lab, another teaching and learning space made possible through the same grant funds. These events will mark the beginning of a new chapter in providing accessible health services and hands-on learning experiences for JSU students and the communities they serve.