On June 15, 2015, Marshall B. Ketchum University broke ground on an extensive renovation for what will become Ketchum Health, a multi-disciplinary health care center for community patients offering optometry, general medical practice and pharmacy services. The new facility is located at 5460 E. La Palma Ave. in Anaheim, California.
Scheduled to open its first phase in 2016, Ketchum Health will be the new home of the University Eye Center, currently located at MBKU’s main campus in Fullerton, along with a general medical practice and pharmacy services in phase II. “The idea is to provide our students a place where they can learn together as a team so that they will also know how to work together as a team,” said University Provost Morris S. Berman, O.D., M.S. “We have done so much to integrate an interprofessional curriculum in our classrooms and labs, now we need an interprofessional environment for the clinical training as well.”
Dr. Glenda B. Secor, a practicing optometrist and Chair of the Board of Trustees at MBKU and Paul Stover, Vice President for University Advancement, welcomed over one-hundred guests to the historic event. University President Kevin L. Alexander, O.D., Ph.D., marked the occasion with a dedication of the building to the legacy of university founder Dr. Marshall B. Ketchum.
“Dr. Ketchum’s vision for advancing the health care professions by providing the best training possible has been a source of excellence for this university since 1904,” said University President Dr. Kevin L. Alexander. “With Ketchum Health, we will be able to further prepare our students for the interprofessional model of care that we see today, and continue that legacy of excellence.”
Vice President for Clinical Affairs, Julie Schornack, O.D., M.Ed., who is working directly with general contractor Snyder Langston on building plans for the new multi-disciplinary clinic, spoke about the future of Ketchum Health.
“The future is bright for MBKU students of all disciplines. Optometrists, physician assistants and pharmacists will all have an opportunity to rotate through Ketchum Health, gain valuable clinical experience and work collaboratively on patient care for the residents of Orange County,” said Dr. Schornack.
The event concluded with a formal groundbreaking shovel ceremony and certificate presentations made by representatives from Assemblywoman Young O. Kim’s office as well as Rep. Edward R. Royce’s office in honor of this important milestone for Ketchum Health and Marshall B. Ketchum University.