Park University’s Ellen Finley Earhart Department of Nursing became the first in the Midwest to receive state-of-the-art, microbial scrubs this fall semester.

A company called MorUniverity, based in Olathe, Kan., worked with the heads of the nursing department to customize the scrubs with Park nursing students in mind.

The scrubs use innovative technology that embeds antimicrobial properties into the fabric to provide a barrier from bacteria. This extra measure adds more protection for nurses who could potentially catch diseases from their patients and then possibly pass it on to family and friends.

It also protects the patients from coming in contact with other diseases that could potentially be transmitted from the scrubs the nurses use when in contact with all their patients.

The idea to create these groundbreaking uniforms for the medical profession came about from conversations between Chris Davis, president of MorUniversity; and his daughter, a nursing student at the University of Kansas.

Through these discussions, Davis developed and produced the products that are now not only being used at Park University, but at some of the largest nursing schools in the United States.

Dr. Gerry Walker, department of nursing chair and associate professor, was instrumental in communicating the needs of the department to properly tailor scrubs to the students in the 18-month course for optimal success.

“We were looking for something different so the students were more consistent to identify in the hospitals as looking like Park, but also to make sure that they had that professional quality we were looking for,” said Walker.

Through her input and those of several students in the program over the summer when she was first approached by MorUniversity, the students in the fall semester were able to start with their newly enhanced scrubs required for the first day of clinical.

The design chosen for and by the students makes them stand out in a crowd. The jacket and top come in the school’s classic burgundy with black and gold lining at the neck, pocket, and sleeves.

The pants come in black with two styles for students to choose from: a flared leg style that is preferred by the female nursing students for a bit more stylish look and a straight leg style preferred by the male nursing students.

Each jacket has a Park Pirate patch on the front right hand pocket and a Park University Nursing patch on the left breast pocket to identify the students when in the medical environment.

The tops also come in two styles, one a v-neck and one altered v-neck style.

In addition, the scrubs were made with multiple pockets that the average scrubs don’t provide, even providing one large enough to hold a tablet that a student might utilize in the workplace.

“Being able to partner with them and really have some feedback has been great,” said Walker, after mentioning a small change to the scrubs that would make the pockets easier to access.

“It’s a unique kind of thing to build a partnership with a local company that really does care what people think about their product.”

Walker isn’t the only one impressed by the company’s new addition.

The 49 students currently enrolled in the program have been enjoying the perks provided by the scrubs, though there is one aspect that is a necessary evil of a quality product.

“The scrubs are extremely comfortable, professional looking and offer plenty of pockets for all the nursing items we need,” said Stacey Kolb, a student in the program.

“Also, the color still looks great after all the washing I have put it through. The only downside is that it costs $189 for a top, pants and jacket; expensive for a student.”

Though the uniforms are pricey, they’re effectiveness thus far has been nothing but successful.

Even after multiple washing cycles, the scrubs are still coming out 99% antimicrobial.

Ongoing clinical studies are being done as students progress through the semester.

Walker said she looks forward to getting feedback from the students as the program continues.