Health care is a rapidly changing field, and TCU aims to provide students in the Harris
College of Nursing & Health Sciences every opportunity to engage in hands-on learning
in state-of-the-art facilities. A trio of recent projects emphasizes this experience
across multiple disciplines.
“Our Locomotor Performance Lab, Health Professions Learning Center and functional OTD lab are all a critical part of the growth of research and programming in Harris College, Chris Watts, Marilyn & Morgan Davies Dean of Harris College, said. “We are committed to our undergraduate and graduate students leaving TCU prepared for successful careers in health care and research, and our facilities play a major part in that, along with our incredible faculty.”
The Locomotor Performance Laboratory
Led by co-directors Peter Weyand and Emily Haag, the Locomotor Performance Laboratory is already producing new research on human movement. Its centerpiece is a specially constructed treadmill so big, it couldn’t fit through
the doors, requiring the team to remove the building’s floor-to-ceiling windows to
move it in. In addition to measuring speed, the treadmill also records the forces
athletes exert on the ground as they move. Similar plates, including the world’s only
split-force plate to measure each foot separately, are embedded in the lab’s floor
to measure force, providing data for research on jumping and acceleration.
Omnicell
The Health Professions Learning Center also received an upgrade with the installation of two Omnicell Medication Dispensary Cabinets. These automated dispensing systems use multiple layers of security to safely stock, track and dispense medications, improving efficiency and reducing errors. Recently seen by viewers of the hit medical drama The Pitt, Omnicells provide students with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the most up-to-date medical technology they will encounter in their professional clinical settings.
OTD Lab
Also in the Harris Research Annex is the Occupational Therapy Applied Functionality Laboratory. Complete with cabinetry, wash stations and needed equipment, the lab also features optional room dividers and movable furniture. This provides a multi-functional space that can accommodate the varied needs of the OTD program, from serving as a lecture area to providing students with the space and equipment to practice the competencies and training required of their profession.