OSU-OKC open house to showcase hands-on learning and career opportunities

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

This Thursday, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City will host an Allied Health Open House for the School of Health Sciences from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Allied Health Building and the John Kirkpatrick Building. 

The School of Health Sciences prepares students to enter high-demand careers across nursing, imaging, allied health, veterinary technology and health care management through hands-on, career-focused associate degree programs. 

With modern facilities in the Allied Health Building and strong connections to local health care providers, the school equips graduates with the practical skills employers need right now — supporting a growing health care workforce in Oklahoma. 

Jarett Floyd, department head for veterinary technology, said the event in the John Kirkpatrick Building will feature interactive demonstrations in the program’s clinical simulation laboratory: a mock veterinary clinic where students learn essential skills before working with live animals.

“We invite everybody to come out and look at our clinical simulation laboratory,” Floyd said. “We’re going to have a bunch of our new high-fidelity models out there and some scenarios running so that people can interact.”

Among the highlights are canine simulators that allow students to practice blood draws, monitor heart rate and respiration, and perform intubation. The program also uses advanced simulation software to place students in anesthesia and physical exam scenarios, helping them learn safely through trial and error.

The open house is geared toward individuals considering a career in animal or human health, as well as family members, industry partners and employers. Community organizations will be on-site to discuss job opportunities and provide feedback on workforce needs.

“We want industry partners to come and see what we’re teaching and provide feedback on what they’d like to see out of prospective students,” Floyd said.

OSU-OKC’s veterinary technology program focuses on companion animals such as dogs, cats, horses, and ruminants, though students also have access to a zoo and exotic animal lab. The curriculum prepares students for all aspects of veterinary care — from patient intake and vitals to surgery prep, medication administration, and client education.

The program boasts a 100% pass rate on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) over the past four years, a rare achievement in the field.

“That’s just a huge accomplishment,” Floyd said. “It’s slightly unheard of … and a testament to the commitment of our students and our faculty and staff.”

Floyd, a 2011 graduate of the program, joined the faculty in 2021 after years in emergency and critical care medicine. She became department head in 2023 and is passionate about preparing students both academically and emotionally for the demands of the profession.

“I wanted to feed back to our community and help prepare people for the field they’re going into,” she said.