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Concordia University unveils new medical van to provide accessible healthcare to Austin

Concordia University's new medical mission van is equipped with the tools to complete free basic health assessments to the Austin area.

AUSTIN — On Friday, Concordia University Texas' nursing program will unveil the latest addition to its new medical mission van to better provide accessible healthcare to the community.

The university's nursing program ranks fourth in the state's nursing programs -- and is one only two Austin-area programs that are in the top 14 -- with a major focus on community health services.

The new medical mission van is equipped with the tools to complete free basic health assessments, such as a scale, utensils to take blood pressure as well as an expertise among the senior nursing students to be able to easily answer any questions patients may have about their medications, nutritional education, health concerns or how to manage diabetes.

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Dr. Greta Degen is a professor and director of the master's nursing program at Concordia University. She shared she and her students are excited to begin using the van and taking it to places such as health fairs, food pantries, jails, various homeless shelters and local veteran communities in addition to the different agencies that the program already works with.

"To be able to have the tools and supplies on hand that are necessary to really implement and do a great job and meet the needs of the people out there in our community, this van is going to be, going to be a great asset," said Degen. "We try to prevent problems before they ever happen and to do that you gotta get out and you gotta know your people and you've got to know what people are suffering from, and what their needs are and what their -- what they say you have to be able to listen."

The medical mission van cost an estimated $45,000, and Degen said there are more supplies they are still hoping to add to it such as an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Of the services that the van will provide, Degen also said they will be administering flu shots on board as well.

On Friday, the nursing program will officially present the van to the Concordia community and donors during a dedication ceremony and launch party from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

If there are local groups or agencies you believe could benefit from a visit from the medical van, they are encouraged to contact the university at 512-313-3000, and to ask either for Dr. Degen or to speak with someone within the nursing program.

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