Health and Human Services News

Bringing clinical services together under one roof

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This spring, the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) opened a new Collaborative Care Clinic in Ann Kampeter Health Sciences Hall on Jan. 26.

It unites several existing services in a single, renovated facility designed to support both education and community service. The grand opening celebration will take place Feb. 20. 

Collaboration and student learning 

The clinic strengthens interprofessional education while continuing to deliver affordable health services to the public. 

“This new facility allows us to bring services together in one collaborative space while expanding supervised, hands-on learning opportunities for our students,” said MCHHS Associate Dean Dr. Letitia White-Minnis. “At the same time, it reinforces our role as a community partner by providing high-quality, accessible care.” 

The renovated space spans about 17,000 square feet and occupies more than half of Kampeter Hall’s first floor. It repurposes the former Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic space and adds additional first-floor space to expand the footprint, creating a shared, modern clinical facility. 

A one-stop clinic 

The clinic will offer: 

  • Counseling services  
  • Speech-language pathology diagnostics and treatment  
  • Hearing and balance testing  
  • Hearing aids and learning diagnostic services 
  • Psychological and learning diagnostic services 

Each service operates in a dedicated clinical area with a shared patient waiting room, centralized check-in and coordinated staffing. 

“By bringing everything into one location with shared systems and staff, we’ve made care easier to access for students, faculty and the broader Springfield community,” said Ian Alaimo, director of information technology and operations for MCHHS.

Graduate students from speech-language pathology, counseling, audiology and psychology will provide services under direct faculty supervision. The clinic is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to individuals of all ages and is available to both the campus and the larger community.   

Learn more about the Collaborative Care Clinic

Counseling professor engages in international ventures

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As a university faculty member, there are few experiences as enriching and eye-opening as international engagements. Having the opportunity to witness firsthand how people of different cultures interact and understand new ideas is priceless. 

Dr. Jeffrey Cornelius-White, distinguished professor of counseling at Missouri State University, has the privilege of participating in many events and initiatives across the globe. 

“My goal is to try to bring people with different perspectives together to find cooperative solutions for their shared goals,” Cornelius-White said. 

Notable events 

For the past 20 years, Cornelius-White taught and spoke to an extensive list of international groups and schools. He’s participated as a lecturer, guest professor, external examiner, guest speaker and keynote speaker. 

Some of his recent and upcoming international engagements include: 

  • Psychotherapy conference presentations in Copenhagen, Denmark (2022). 
  • External examiner at the University of Nottingham School, United Kingdom (2022, 2023). 
  • Keynote presentation at IBERO Americana University-Mexico City, Mexico (2023). 
  • Keynote presentation at Latin American Congress of Psychology and Mexican Congress of Psychology, IBERO Americana- Puebla, Mexico (2023). 
  • Keynote speaker and faculty-led education abroad program director in Greece (2024). 
  • Mary Kilborn Lecture at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (2024).  

Recent topics he discussed at these events include addressing mental health concerns with pressing global issues, such as nuclear warfare, pandemics, and rapid technological advancement. 

He encourages those he encounters to consider the principles of their decisions and guides them toward compassionate solutions. 

Working toward a better tomorrow 

Cornelius-White highlights the importance of non-verbal cues and showcases the power of human connection despite language barriers. He also acknowledges what a privilege it is to be a native English speaker, which many people often overlook. 

“Even when I don’t speak the native language, I find it interesting trying to interpret the context of what is happening,” Cornelius-White said. “Just by paying attention to the emotions of those speaking, you can find a way to learn and engage.” 

By fostering empathy and acceptance, Cornelius-White continues to make an impact on these diverse communities and help people understand one another better. 

“It’s been a really neat phenomenon to realize we’re all connected by a lot more than language,” Cornelius-White said. “It can make a difference when one is sensitive enough to appreciate the humility of disorientation and persevere towards connection.” 

Learn more about counseling