New Facility Opens for Center for Neurobehavioral Health, Centralizes Psychological Services | SUNY Plattsburgh

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October 24, 2017

Faculty and staff in the new facilities for SUNY Plattsburgh’s Center for Neurobehavioral Health in Sibley Hall hosted an open house Saturday, Sept. 23 where more than 75 gathered in unseasonably warm temperatures for remarks and a ribbon cutting officiated by Dr. Michael Morales, interim director.

The space that was previously occupied by the Sibley Hall gymnasium — originally used by students in the campus school more than 50 years ago — and the Third Age Adult Day Center is now a two-story facility housing clinic, instructional and office spaces for the center, its staff, and members of the psychology department.

In addition, the renovation brought together in one centralized location the clinics that serve the North Country population while at the same time provide hands-on training for undergrads and graduate students going into fields that deal with autism, Alzheimer’s and traumatic brain injury, among others.

Visitors who access the center through the new entryway in the back of Sibley will find a comfortable, professional waiting room complete with a separate children’s waiting area where they will be greeted by staff or student workers who can direct them to:

• The Adirondack Regional Technology Center/TRIAD
• Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative
• Autism Intervention Programs
• Caregiver Support Groups
• Eastern Adirondack Health Care Network
• Neuropsychology Clinic and Psychoeducational Services
• Northeastern New York Community Services Program
• Third Age Adult Day Center
• Traumatic Brain Injury Center

SUNY Plattsburgh President John Ettling gave opening remarks, praising the facility, its staff and those responsible for the project, including New York state Sen. Betty Little, who helped secure $4 million for the project through the 2014-2015 state budget. Additional funds were secured through the State University of New York Construction Fund.

Morales, associate professor and co-chair of the Department of Psychology, in addition to thanking Little, who attended the Sept. 23 event, but also thanked his staff and program directors and managers, who “work long hours to make the center programs a success.”

“It’s an amazing space,” said Dr. Michael Morales, interim director of the center and associate professor and co-chair of psychology.

Previously housed in Beaumont Hall, psychology faculty are now afforded updated instruction space, conference rooms that double as grad student seminar rooms, grad student training rooms, assessment rooms for a variety of neurobehavioral disorders and cognitive rehabilitation, and other research and observation rooms.

At the time, Little said, “The creation of the Center for Neurobehavioral Health will enable SUNY Plattsburgh to help meet the needs of those suffering from neurological health problems. As we know, these issues are very complex and extremely challenging. More diagnostic and treatment programs, new training opportunities and expanded collaborative research will ensure better outcomes from those affected.

“This is an important opportunity to meet a growing need, and I was pleased to do what I could to support the college in its efforts,” Little said.

In addition to Morales, administrative staff and program directors and managers at the Center for Neurobehavioral Health are:

• Yvonne Lott, associate director of the center and director of programs, co-director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative
• Dr. Richard Durant, clinical director and program director, Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative
• Dr. Patricia Egan, director, autism intervention programs
• Christine Ouellette, program manager, Third Age Adult Day Center
• Tiffani Cowen, program manager, Traumatic Brain Injury Center