Oklahoma Wesleyan University has launched a new effort in promoting the dignity of life with the delivery of a Save the Storks mobile ultrasound unit. The van will be used to aid OKWU School of Nursing, along with partners like The Cottage of Bartlesville and other regional pregnancy resource centers. OKWU is currently the only university in the country to own and operate a Save the Storks unit which reaches out to at-risk mothers and saves unborn lives.
“The van will allow our students the opportunity to go into the community and have firsthand experiences saving the lives of a vulnerable population,” said Dr. Jessica Johnson, OKWU’s dean of nursing. “It not only provides the nursing students an opportunity to engage in educational opportunities, it helps the students navigate how to counsel the women they interact with.”
Dr. Becky Le, a co-founder of The Cottage and professor of nursing at OKWU, shared her delight. “As a maternal/child nurse, my lifelong goal is to support vulnerable moms and babies. Nothing means more to me than mentoring young students in this passion and calling to save lives through ultrasound. I am beyond thrilled to begin this new adventure!”
The unit is one of dozens equipped by Save the Storks, an organization which “provides powerful tools and training” to vulnerable women by partnering with pregnancy resource centers across the country. It was purchased in OKWU’s name through the work of a generous donor, George Karpus of Karpus Investments.
David Preston, executive director of the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Foundation, thanked Karpus for his “extraordinary leadership in the pro-life movement, making it possible for OKWU to acquire this unit. We are so appreciative of the generosity of Mr. Karpus and the Karpus Foundation for making this dream a reality.”
The University is engaged in pro-life work from a number of angles. Summer 2017 marks the third year of courses offered in a pro-life and applied bioethics certificate, and courses are also being drafted to launch a full degree in applied bioethics in the next phase of the project.
President Dr. Everett Piper emphasized the university’s continued dedication to this work, saying, “OKWU’s commitment to serving, defending, and protecting the most vulnerable among us is unshakable. Thank the Lord that our nation is still blessed with the likes of George Karpus who share our passion and conviction for the ‘least of these.'”
