By Katie Gager, Student Reporter
The university plans to renovate the campus medical clinic, and in doing so, has hired a new physician and nurse practitioner. Dr. Ellen Little (’92), daughter of the late Dr. John Little, professor emeritus of biology at ACU, was hired as a permanent physician and Michelle Drew, as a permanent nurse practitioner.
“We couldn’t have asked for a more incredible staff,” said Jean Noel-Thompson, dean of student life. “They are a star cast and a quality team.”
Little and Drew are passionate about missions, Thompson said. Little is presently working in Uganda on a medical mission and will begin her work at ACU in the summer. Drew also served in Africa on several medical mission trips and will move from Vanderbilt School of Nursing in Tennessee to begin work on campus around March 1.
Due to experience in the mission field, the new staff hopes to become more service-oriented by implementing and providing students with possible long-term mission trips during the summer.
In the meantime, starting Sunday, Dr. Sarah Trammel will work part-time on-campus. Trammel recently moved to Abilene from Dallas and wants to work as a contracted physician before she begins her own private practice, said Kathy Stokes, ACU Health Services office manager.
After Dr. Tony Rector, ACU medical clinic physician, left to continue his medical work in Guatemala, the university contracted Dr. Jeff Jackson of Dr. J’s Express Care for the fall semester.
“Dr. Jackson was not able to renew his contract with us for the spring semester because of other commitments,” said Stokes. “It was wonderful to have him and his group with us for the fall. They were used to the environment of lots of people with lots of different illnesses.”
The Health Clinic will also experience a partial “face-lift” during spring break. The clinic will have some re-tiling and re-carpeting work done. In addition, renovation will be done on the clinic during the summer break, creating a more accessible entrance and a cleaner and more professional environment, said Thompson.
Thompson said hiring a new staff was a lengthy and sometimes difficult process. “We realized that we were under-staffed and it was difficult to be proactive on wellness and education when you are under-staffed. Part of our frustration was not being able to get the right person at the right time. However, I am fully confident in the staff we have chosen.”
