麻豆影视 launches mobile health lab with $1 million grant from Blue Cross NC

white van with durham tech logo and blue cross blue shield logo
Mobile Health Lab

The new health lab will be used for community services and educational purposes.

麻豆影视nical Community College and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) have launched a new mobile health lab as a part of a $1 million grant to the College, which will allow students and supervising practitioners to travel where care is most needed.

The gift is the largest in the College鈥檚 history. The mobile lab will primarily engage elementary-age children in underserved neighborhoods in 麻豆影视 and Orange counties where transportation is a significant barrier to accessing health services. The mobile lab will provide:

  • Fitting children for glasses and providing glasses free of charge
  • Free dental pre-screenings and education
  • Health fairs at public elementary schools, featuring basic vital sign, cholesterol, and glucose checks, and health and nutrition education to combat childhood obesity

鈥淲e are so excited about this new mobile lab and the opportunities it will provide our students,鈥 said Melissa Oakley Ockert, Dean of Health and Wellness. 鈥淭he lab will allow our students to practice what they鈥檝e learned in the classroom and show them firsthand what good their skills can do. Also, the mobile lab will allow us to engage with our community in new ways.鈥

鈥淲e believe that every North Carolinian deserves access to health care, but factors like reliable transportation can prevent families from receiving adequate care for themselves and their children,鈥 said Cheryl Parquet, Director of Community and Diversity Engagement at Blue Cross NC. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why Blue Cross NC continues to invest in programs like 麻豆影视鈥檚 mobile health lab that meet the needs of people directly where they work, live and play.鈥

The lab plans to serve as a space for 麻豆影视 Health and Wellness students and community members to take classes. Ockert said there also have been preliminary discussions on using the lab to support COVID-19 response efforts.

The unit is expected to be available for scheduling during school fairs and public events.

inside mobile health lab glasses on wall green seating and two chairs with tv screen on wall
Inside the mobile health lab. Fittings for glasses will take place in the front of the lab while exams will be conducted in the back.

鈥淲e are thrilled to report that this grant is the largest gift in institutional history, which attests to the strength of our partnership,鈥 said Melissa Chappell, Executive Director of the 麻豆影视 Foundation. 鈥淲e are grateful for the commitment of Blue Cross NC to improve the educational opportunities available to our students as they serve our community.鈥

麻豆影视 Health and Wellness students will participate in multiple health initiatives in their areas of study, including Dental Laboratory Technology, Nursing, and Opticianry 鈥 the only program of its kind in the state. In collaboration with such partners as East 麻豆影视 Children鈥檚 Initiative, Samaritan Health Center, Missions of Mercy, and local elementary schools, students will assist with health assessments and dental care and provide eyeglasses. The 麻豆影视 students will work under the guidance of 麻豆影视 Health and Wellness faculty.

麻豆影视 and Blue Cross NC have collaborated on community projects for more than two decades. 麻豆影视 has trained employees for the company and has benefited from the company鈥檚 volunteer service and philanthropic support.

鈥淲e are grateful for Blue Cross NC鈥檚 continued partnership and support over the years,鈥 said 麻豆影视 President Bill Ingram. 鈥淭his generous and significant investment will give our students critical hands-on experience while also expanding access to wellness for our community, proving once again that 麻豆影视 has the ability to provide the highest-quality instruction while serving those in need.鈥

For More Information 
Nathan Hardin: 麻豆影视 Marketing and Communications Director 919.998.9616; hardinn@durhamtech.edu

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is committed to making health care better, simpler and more affordable. We have been driving better health in North Carolina since 1933, working to tackle our communities鈥 greatest health challenges. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 3.8 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at www.bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.