Today@Sam Article
SHSU-COM Hosts Mobile Wellness Clinic
May 27, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Campbell Atkins
By Brittany Foreman
The Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (SHSU-COM) Rural and Underserved Health Club (RUHC) hosted a Mobile Wellness Clinic in Montgomery on May 3. With strong support from faculty and nearly 80 student volunteers, the event offered osteopathic care, clinical services and wellness education to more than 50 members of the community.
“The mobile clinic was a powerful reminder of the impact we can bring directly to the community, meeting people where they are with compassion, knowledge and hands-on healing,” said RUHC president and second-year medical student Tyler Wood. “I saw how simple interventions can build trust and truly make a difference.”
Students like Wood engaged participants in conversations about preventive care, offered hands-on osteopathic manipulative treatment and provided resources, all while gaining practical experience in delivering community-centered healthcare.
“This event exemplifies the heart of our mission to serve communities while raising awareness about the osteopathic profession,” said Dr. Simeon Nittala, DO, one of the faculty advisers. “Our student doctors showed an incredible level of professionalism, care and energy. We are proud to see them bring our mission to life through direct outreach and advocacy.”
Mobile clinics are uniquely effective at meeting people where they are – both literally and figuratively. By bringing care directly into neighborhoods, these clinics lower common barriers like transportation, cost and time, making health education and preventive services more approachable for those who may otherwise delay or skip care altogether.
“Seeing the positive impact that osteopathic medicine can have on everyday members of society is something that not only helps bolster the students’ confidence, but also provides a valuable outlet for giving back to the community that helps shape these physicians of tomorrow,” said Nittala, who assisted the students alongside Dr. Juanita Brown, DO, and Dr. Janet Gregory, MD.
Research shows that when students are exposed to rural and underserved settings during their medical education, they are more likely to return to similar areas to practice than those who have not had that experience. Initiatives like the Mobile Wellness Clinic play a vital role in shaping future osteopathic physicians who understand the unique challenges of delivering care in these communities.
The Mobile Wellness Clinic is one of the many service-learning opportunities SHSU-COM offers to foster leadership, empathy and a lifelong commitment to service. These events exemplify the college’s values and foster both community and student growth.
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