Orange City, Iowa — A couple of departments will benefit from a donation to an Orange City institution of higher learning.
Northwestern College officials say they have received $120,000 from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust for laboratory equipment that will be used by students in the college’s new physician assistant studies and athletic training master’s degree programs.
Dr. Christina Hanson, director of the physician assistant program says that the funds will be used to purchase two virtual cadaver tables as well as supplies for the human cadaver lab. She says that there is growing evidence that using virtual cadavers in addition to traditional human cadavers results in improved student outcomes.
Dr. Hanson tells us that the six-foot virtual cadaver tables will provide students with a life-sized interactive display that can toggle between detailed anatomical drawings, captioned illustrations, and actual radiologic images (CT and MRI). She says students will be able to conduct repeat virtual dissections and simulations before performing traditional dissections in the gross anatomy lab.
Hanson says that ultimately, their goal is to create an outstanding learning environment for their PA and AT students so they can provide standout medical care to patients in the communities they serve.
Jay Wielenga, Northwestern’s vice president for advancement, says that they’re pleased that a respected Iowa institution like the Carver Trust has signaled its support for their graduate-level health sciences programs with an investment of this size.
The Carver Trust was established by Iowan Roy J. Carver, an engineer and entrepreneurial industrialist, to support biomedical and scientific research, scholarships, and programs addressing the educational and recreational needs of youth.
File photo of CT scans
