SMITHFIELD, RI – In an effort to help bridge health care education and train more mental health clinicians, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today joined students, educators, and Bryant University leadership to deliver a $1.5 million federal earmark to strengthen health and behavioral sciences instruction and prepare more mental health care and health professionals to enter the local workforce.

The $1.5 million federal earmark secured by Senator Reed is for Bryant University’s School of Health and Behavioral Sciences (SHBS) and its new doctoral program in clinical psychology (Psy.D.), which will launch next fall and be the first program of its kind in Rhode Island.

The funding secured by Senator Reed will support renovation and expansion of SHBS to more than double its current footprint and house state-of-the-art teaching and research labs that will support Bryant’s curricular efforts to foster the development of a modern health care workforce.

“Across the nation, communities and states need more mental health professionals who have the skills needed to effectively treat patients.  By expanding Bryant’s School of Health and Behavioral Sciences to include new, state-of-the-art lab and class spaces, the university is helping to address pressing needs and produce more well-trained health care providers who will graduate with hands-on experience in diverse clinical settings,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  “I salute Bryant for the outstanding work they do to build our future health care workforce and to address our nation’s mental health crisis.  This $1.5 million earmark will help them advance their important mission, expand Bryant’s health footprint, and train more highly-skilled health care and mental health care professionals to serve in high-demand environments.”

“We are grateful to Senator Reed for enabling Bryant University to advance its ability to address the healthcare shortage in Rhode Island,” said Bryant University President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. “Aligned with our Vision 2030 priorities, this federal funding allows Bryant to put in place state-of-the-art behavioral health facilities as we launch Rhode Island's only Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program.”

Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D., said, “This earmark not only enhances our facilities but also empowers us to train the next generation of healthcare practitioners, especially in the critical field of mental health. Our new Psy.D. will provide learners with a cutting-edge education that will prepare them to address the pressing mental health needs of our communities upon graduation.”

Senator Reed joined Bryant University President Dr. Ross Gittell, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Rupendra Paliwal, Director of SHBS Dr. Kirsten Hokeness, and Associate Director of SHBS and President of the RI Psychological Association Dr. Joseph Trunzo to tour the SHBS, discuss plans for the two-phase expansion project, and to meet with students currently enrolled in the program.

Phase 1 of the expansion of campus science facilities will directly support the growth of Bryant’s Psy.D. program. The first phase will include:

  • Behavioral Health/Psychology suite including seven observation and counseling labs, cognitive and psychophysiology labs, and a child development center.

Phase 2 of the expansion will include:

  • Six teaching labs and a healthcare informatics lab;
  • Six research labs supporting faculty and student research programs and a shared health care informatics lab which can serve as a core facility for the state; and
  • Laboratory prep areas, chemical storage, and waste rooms.

Bryant University launched its new School of Health and Behavioral Sciences in 2022 as part of Bryant’s Vision 2030 Strategic Plan, building on successful programs like the university’s Master of Physician Assistant (PA) program.