On a sunny fall day, a small gathering of mental health clinicians and administrators made history as they cut the ribbon officially opening the Riverside Outpatient Center at Cambridge. It is one of the first, if not the first, licensed behavioral health centers located on a college campus.
“This is a spectacular and groundbreaking initiative,” says Marsha Medalie, Riverside Community Care CEO. “We think this model may be one that can be replicated across the country in response to the crisis of access to care for students.”
“For me, today is really a miracle,” said Lesley President Janet Steinmayer, referencing the hard work and collaboration that took place to bring the center to fruition.
Within seven months, Riverside and Lesley recruited clinical leadership, therapists and administrative staff, developed systems and protocols for patient safety and privacy and renovated the entire fifth floor of the Schwartz Building into comfortable and welcoming reception and counseling space.