Monday, Dec. 2, is a significant day for the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Louisiana as the organization welcomes two mobile medical units, expanding healthcare access for citizens across Northeast Louisiana. Local and VCOM-Louisiana officials gathered to celebrate the mobile medical units’ arrival with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Monroe and West Monroe-West Ouachita Chambers of Commerce. This momentous occasion has been over two years in the making.
The units are made possible through a collaborative endeavor with the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, the governing authority for Ouachita Parish in Louisiana. Shane Smiley, president of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, conveyed the cooperative relationship between the two agencies: “The Ouachita Parish Police Jury and VCOM share a common bond. We are both dedicated to the advancement of improving the quality of life for all of our residents. VCOM’s mission of training future physicians to meet the healthcare needs in both rural and medically underserved populations is a testament to their desire to improve the lives of our residents.” After a long journey from Wisconsin, where they were meticulously crafted, the two state-of-the-art mobile medical units finally arrived in Louisiana.
Each unit is fully equipped for patient care, with private exam rooms outfitted with diagnostic equipment, work and phlebotomy stations, and lavatories. The largest unit is fitted with a wheelchair access door and lift. The units, adorned with vibrant VCOM-branded wraps featuring local students, are a symbol of hope for the community.
Each unit is fully equipped for patient care, with private exam rooms outfitted with diagnostic equipment, work and phlebotomy stations, and lavatories. The largest unit is fitted with a wheelchair access door and lift. The units, adorned with vibrant VCOM-branded wraps featuring local students, are a symbol of hope for the community.
Mobile medical units are more than just vehicles—they are vital healthcare resources that provide a comprehensive range of services. These include preventative care, primary care, geriatric services, immunization clinics, and disaster relief assistance. Designed to serve underserved populations in Ouachita Parish and the surrounding areas, they will also play a key role in medical education. Through these units, VCOM-Louisiana medical students will gain hands-on experience in community engagement, participating in activities such as vaccination clinics and emergency response efforts for displaced populations.
Mark Sanders, DO, dean of VCOM-Louisiana, emphasized their transformative impact: “As a leading institution committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes, VCOM-Louisiana will use the grant to foster stronger connections with underserved populations, enhance public health education, and improve preparedness for local emergencies. These efforts align with the VCOM’s mission to serve communities in need through innovation, collaboration, and impactful programs.” In short: These mobile units are a vital step toward improving healthcare access and outcomes for the community.
The benefits to Ouachita Parish are significant. VCOM's mobile medical units will travel to targeted populations within the parish, providing flexible and responsive care for isolated and vulnerable groups that face challenges in accessing and maintaining medical care. VCOM-Louisiana will establish and sustain working relationships with community health clinics, local medical facilities, and social service organizations, leveraging these partnerships to promote services effectively at a grassroots level. “The fact that our local university now has a medical school on its campus is just incredible. It is a win not only for our residents, but also for our students. The Ouachita Parish Police Jury’s partnership with VCOM to provide these two mobile medical units will not only advance the training of our medical students, but it is also exciting and rewarding for our residents,” explained Ouachita police juror for District C, Larry Bratton. “As a member of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, I am grateful for the opportunity to assist VCOM in advancing our quality of life right here at home. These mobile medical units put us in a position to help the under-
