Health & Counseling Services Come Together at “The Well”

Mark Gronski and Lynetta Allen-Geddie

As Methodist University prioritizes physical and mental health, it is making it easier than ever for students to access both health and counseling services on campus.

As Methodist University prioritizes physical and mental health, it is making it easier than ever for students to access both health and counseling services on campus.

The Well at Methodist University LogoLocated inside West Hall, just southeast of Nimocks Fitness Center, “The Well” is the brand-new name of the space where students can receive health and counseling services.

Previously, these services were provided separately under different departments. Now, they both exist under MU’s Health & Counseling Services department – led by Director of Health Services Lynetta Allen-Geddie and Director of Counseling Services Mark Gronski.

“The Well represents the integration of physical and mental health,” said Allen-Geddie. “It also represents healing, offering a quality space on campus for students to have their physical and mental health needs taken care of. In a sense, there’s an ability for students to become more complete after visiting The Well.”

The University carefully enhanced the counseling services it provides to students by bringing in a team of trained and licensed professionals. Alongside Gronski, who has been a licensed clinical social worker since 2005 and holds more than 18 years of counseling experience, MU’s counseling services team also offers two additional licensed counselor and psychotherapists – Madelyn Hamed and Sarah Kress.

MU’s Counseling Services team is committed to providing evidence-based treatments, helping students navigate common issues like anxiety and depression along with difficulty coping with stress, adapting to change, forming relationships and balancing priorities.

“Something that’s very helpful for students is to recognize that sessions are confidential,” Gronski said. “Unless there is a safety concern, what’s said in that room, stays in that room. We want it to be a space where students can talk honestly about whatever is going on in their life so we can best support them.”

On the physical health side, Methodist University’s Health Services is also in a position to best serve students. At The Well, Health Services treats minor illnesses and injuries along with providing acute, preventative and wellness care – such as physical examinations, laboratory services and vaccines.

Like Counseling Services, the Health Services team is ready and trained to assist the medical needs of students. Allen-Geddie has held multiple nursing and supervisory positions in the health care field for the past 35 years. Most recently, she is joined by nurse practitioner Patrick Bertz, who has more than 30 years of experience as a nurse practitioner at various stops, including the U.S. Army.

“Whether you have a cold, a strep throat, or minor injury, we can help any student,” Allen-Geddie said. “If there’s a service we can’t provide, we’ll refer you to a provider in the community.”

Both Health and Counseling Services are available to students during the following hours:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 1-5 p.m.

To set up an appointment for either service, students are asked to contact 910.630.7164 or emailing thewell@methodist.edu. Health & Counseling Services Coordinator Dashia Rutherford will be happy to schedule the appointment. Under the new structure, students can set up an appointment for both services at once.

“If students are interested, it’s definitely possible,” Gronski said. “We have the ability for a student to see our nurse practitioner and then walk over to speak to one of our therapists on the same day.”

In the event a student is in a mental health crisis outside of normal working hours, students may contact the following crisis lines for support:

You can also learn more by visiting the Health & Counseling Services web page. The University will also hold an open house for The Well on April 20, 2023 (more details to come).