Royal Oak, MI — Baker College announces a new partnership with Recovery Mobile Clinic, a Michigan-based mobile addiction recovery provider serving six counties and operating up to seven clinics per day. Beginning Spring 2026, all Baker College nursing students will complete a portion of their community clinical hours alongside Recovery Mobile Clinic’s healthcare teams, gaining hands-on experience working with individuals experiencing substance use disorders.
The collaboration was initiated by Kristin Powals, DNP, RN, CNE, RNC-MNN, CLC, CPN, Clinical Coordinator and Professor in the College of Nursing. After meeting Recovery Mobile Clinic founder Jordana Latozas during a community event last summer, Dr. Powals toured the clinic’s mobile RV unit and immediately recognized the opportunity for a meaningful student learning experience.
“I asked Jordana about the possibility of our nursing students shadowing their team, and she was incredibly receptive,” Dr. Powals shared. “This partnership creates invaluable real-world learning for our students while supporting a critically underserved patient population.”
Through the partnership, students will work directly on the Recovery Mobile Clinic RVs—mobile treatment units that provide addiction medicine, mental health support, and connection to higher levels of care. Students will earn clinical hours toward their 45-hour community health rotation, which prepares them to care for vulnerable populations and navigate community-based healthcare systems.
Dr. Powals emphasized that the experience is essential for preparing students to meet the needs of today’s healthcare landscape. “This collaboration provides real-life exposure to individuals experiencing addiction and connects classroom concepts in both mental health and community health to live patient interactions. We need more public health nurses and this may create interest.”
Students will gain skills in trauma-informed communication, harm reduction, interprofessional teamwork, and culturally humble care which are foundational competencies for modern nursing practice. The work also helps break down stigma and build empathy, two themes both organizations view as core to effective care.
Founded in 2020, Recovery Mobile Clinic has grown from a single RV to a fleet of five mobile treatment units and supportive vehicles, serving an average of 2,000 patients per month. Each RV includes a check-in area, private consult space, and access to addiction medication management. With more than 40 community partners, the organization functions as a connector—helping patients access primary care and specialized treatment beyond the RV.
“Our goal is to bridge the gap in addiction and mental health care by meeting patients where they are,” said Jordana Latozas, Founder of Recovery Mobile Clinic. “We’re a feeder, whereas we help individuals stabilize and then connect them with higher levels of care. At the end of the day, we’re trying to break down the stigma between mental health and substance abuse. People are people, no matter what they’re dealing with.”
Baker College anticipates the collaboration will continue long-term. During a recent visit to the Royal Oak campus, students and faculty toured one of the clinic’s RVs, gaining firsthand insight into its services and community reach.
“This experience is needed because it prepares nursing students to care effectively for people with substance use disorders, a population they will encounter in almost every healthcare setting.,” Dr. Powals added. “IIt also helps them develop empathy, cultural humility, and practical skills for delivering safe, trauma-informed, and low-barrier care to individuals who often face major obstacles accessing traditional healthcare.”
Recovery Mobile Clinic provides mobile addiction and mental health services across six Michigan counties. Operating between five and seven clinics per day, the organization delivers low-barrier access to care for patients who may face challenges accessing traditional healthcare facilities. Learn more.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on six campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more about the College of Nursing and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.