Lee University is collaborating with Peerless Pediatrics to offer onsite behavioral health services. This partnership is playing a pivotal role in developing a new Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) course for Lee’s Marriage and Family Therapy doctoral program.  

“It is a dream come true to be a part of this cutting-edge collaboration, where pediatricians are coming alongside child psychologists and child therapists to provide the best holistic care to our patients,” said Dr. Heather Quagliana, department chair of behavioral and social sciences, professor of psychology and licensed psychologist. 
  
The partnership began when Peerless pediatrician Dr. Stephanie Sanderson spoke to Quagliana about her vision of introducing onsite behavior health services to the hospital. According to Quagliana, since COVID-19 more patients are reporting anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and poor coping skills. The psychological repercussions of the pandemic will last for years, so Sanderson wanted to provide resources to best help families and children readjust.   
  
This collaboration is beneficial to both the medical practice and Lee University. “Peerless Pediatrics is pleased to partner with this group of professionals,” said Cathy Faulkner, Peerless Pediatrics’ office manager. “The partnership will allow us to refer much needed services to patients quicker, more efficiently, and maintain the overall continuity of care for our patient population.  
  
The current services offered at Peerless Pediatrics includes outpatient family, child, and adolescent therapy, parent training, crisis intervention, and psychological testing. “There is a lack of mental health providers for children and adolescents in the Cleveland community, and these services help address the gap in community needs,” said Quagliana.  
  

Kristi Byrd, currently in Lee’s Marriage and Family Therapy doctoral program, is also partnering with Peerless Pediatrics. “I have loved the opportunity to work alongside the pediatricians as they make referrals for clients that they feel might benefit from services,” said Byrd. “We are still in the beginning stages of implementing the MedFT model, but I believe it will be helpful for so many families in the community. I look forward to seeing all that we can accomplish over the next year and beyond!” In addition to Byrd and Quagliana, Dr. Michelle Fast, Licensed Psychologist with HSP Designation, (TN 3846) and nationally certified school psychologist is offering psychological testing and therapy services at Peerless. 
  
Lee’s Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences is in the planning process of developing a MedFT course to educate students on collaborations with medical practices. The goal is to allow the class to tour Peerless Pediatrics and have a Lee doctoral student on site at the hospital each semester. The course will be taught by Quagliana and Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy and Director of Graduate Programs in Counseling, Dr. Brandon Rodgers, both of whom have extensive experience integrating behavioral health services into medical settings.  
  
For more information about the Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy, visit leeuniversity.edu/graduate/ or email [email protected]. For more information on Peerless Pediatrics or their psychological providers, visit peerlesspediatrics.com or Psychological Services Referrals.