A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Auburn University Health Care and Education Clinic’s Open House on Oct. 18. The clinic, located at the Boykin Community Center in Auburn, will offer health and wellness screenings, immunizations, acute/urgent care services, in addition to several other services.
The clinic received support from The Caring Grant of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Through gifts to both Harrison College of Pharmacy (HCOP) and the College of Nursing (AUCON), Blue Cross Blue Shield is furthering its commitment to promote interprofessional education. (Mr. Tim King, from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Caring Grant, is to the right of Dr. Hunt in the picture.) The clinic is offered by the Interprofessional Education initiative, a joint effort of HCOP, AUCON, Department of Social Work (College of Liberal Arts) and Nutritional Sciences (College of Human Sciences).
“After years of hard work, the health care and education clinic (previously called Boykin Clinic) is open,” said Dr. Linda Gibson-Young, outreach coordinator for AUCON. “I would like to commend Drs. Jean DuBois, Kathy Jo Ellison, and Sarah Watts along with many other administrators, faculty, and staff members from AUCON for the diligence with this outreach initiative.”
“On behalf of Auburn University, I would like to thank Blue Cross Blue Shield’s The Caring Foundation for their support of this clinic,” said Dr. Tim Moore, Interim dean at HCOP. “This clinic would not have been possible without their commitment and partnership with both the Harrison College of Pharmacy and the College of Nursing. Because of their support, the clinic is now a reality that will continue to support the surrounding community.”
Dr. Caralise Hunt, associate dean for academic affairs at AUCON, represented the College at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Watts oversaw the student IPE experience with students Madison Saltmarsh, Delaney Tinsley, Grace Harris and Kathleen Esposito representing the College of Nursing at the event.
"Access to primary and related care are vital to meeting the basic health care needs of our citizens," said Tim King, community relations manager at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. "This clinic allows people increased access to treatment and a variety of health care specialties resulting in improved health outcomes.
"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is proud to support the clinic and its mission to serve the community in and around Auburn. We value improving the health and wellness of Alabamians and the clinic will provide access to healthcare to an underserved area. We also believe in giving students training opportunities at different health-related schools that allow them to serve those communities directly."
