Jackson State University (JSU) has rolled out its newest initiative to tackle health disparities in Mississippi—quite literally. Meet Wellness on Wheels, a mobile health lab that’s not only revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered but is also ensuring that JSU students get hands-on, real-world experience while they’re at it. In a state known for healthcare challenges, this innovative project is steering change directly into underserved communities.

Picture this: a sleek mobile lab packed with state-of-the-art technology, rolling into town and bringing essential health services to the community’s front door. That's exactly what JSU’s Wellness on Wheels is doing—delivering speech, language, hearing, and public health screenings directly to Mississippians. By meeting people where they are, JSU is breaking down barriers to healthcare access, helping remove the red tape that often prevents children and adults from receiving vital care.

“The Wellness on Wheels Health, Hearing, and Communication mobile lab exemplifies our commitment to expanding our educational strategies and fulfilling our mission of producing students who think critically, address societal problems, and compete effectively,” said Dr. Brandi Newkirk-Turner, JSU’s Associate Provost. 

This project also has a larger goal: to reduce health disparities and improve the overall quality of life in Mississippi, one stop at a time.

More Than a Mobile Lab: A Game-Changer in Education

But this isn’t just about healthcare. It’s also about creating a dynamic learning environment for JSU’s students. The mobile lab provides real-time, real-world experience for students majoring in fields like public health, communicative disorders, and healthcare administration. These future healthcare professionals are equipped not only with classroom knowledge but also practical skills to tackle real-world issues—a perfect blend of theory and hands-on experience.

According to Dr. Whitney Perkins, chair of the Department of Communicative Disorders, the project is a significant milestone for JSU’s students, offering them an opportunity to apply their academic learning in ways that make a tangible impact. “For our students, experiential learning bridges the gap between classroom concepts and real-world experiences,” Perkins explained. “This makes the academic journey from learning to practice both meaningful and dynamic.”

And what better place to practice than a cutting-edge, fully equipped mobile lab?

A Sneak Peek Inside the Wellness on Wheels Lab

So, what’s under the hood of this healthcare juggernaut? 

The Wellness on Wheels mobile lab is outfitted with a range of features designed to make both service delivery and education seamless, including:

- A soundproof audiological testing room with height-adjustable tables and chairs

- A one-way observation window and extra seating outside the testing room

- Audio and video capabilities for interactive presentations

- Wi-fi connectivity for smooth data flow and communications

- Internal cameras for clinical session observation and educational purposes

- A speech, language, and public health screening area

- A receptionist area for intake and documentation

- ADA accessibility with a wheelchair lift to accommodate everyone

- Running water, cabinets for storage, and a small fridge to support longer field visits

All of this comes wrapped in a weather-guard electric roll-up awning, providing protection from the elements for those who may need to wait outside the lab.

The Power Behind the Wheels: Grant Funding & Collaboration

The vision of Wellness on Wheels wasn’t created overnight. It’s the result of a $5 million grant partnership between Jackson State University and Mississippi College, specifically geared toward enhancing public health programs in the state. Thanks to the dedication of leaders like Dr. Whitney Perkins, Dr. Jennifer Wiles, and Dr. Yalanda Barner, along with the visionary leadership of Dr. Russell Bennett, Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences, this dream of bringing accessible health services to underserved communities has come to fruition.

“It’s a testament to what can happen when departments and faculty collaborate across the university,” said Dr. Bennett. “We’ve built something that has the potential to improve the health and lives of Mississippians for generations.”

What’s Next for JSU and the Wellness on Wheels Project?

The Wellness on Wheels mobile lab will officially kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by the grand opening of the Interdisciplinary Public Health Experiential Lab—yet another innovative space funded by the same grant that powers Wellness on Wheels. Both facilities promise to revolutionize how health services are delivered in Mississippi, while also creating rich, hands-on learning experiences for JSU students.

As Dr. Perkins aptly put it, “Experiential learning is a high-impact practice that challenges students to think critically, apply knowledge, and promote self-reflection. This initiative is about more than just providing healthcare; it’s about training the next generation of healthcare leaders to make real, lasting change.”

With JSU’s Wellness on Wheels, healthcare isn’t just mobile—it’s unstoppable.

For more info, visit https://www.jsums.edu/chs/