Institute for Well-Being celebrates new home on York Road

New location provides more opportunity for programming, research with enhanced accommodations

By JAMIE ABELL on September 6, 2023

People gather to cut the ribbon. — Dean Plowfield, leaders at the Institute for Well-Being, donors and elected officials join Interim President Melanie Perreault as she cuts the ribbon at 7400 York Rd. (Photo Credit: Lauren Castellana | Towson University)

On Wed., Sept. 6, Towson University’s College of Health Professions, led by Dean Lisa Plowfield, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of new locations for the Institute for Well-Being (IWB). Previously located at One Olympic Place in downtown Towson, the IWB will split its four centers between 7400 York Rd and 7720 York Rd, totaling 46,600 square feet.  

Serving as a dynamic interprofessional lab for TU students while also promoting and enhancing health and wellness in the community, the new spaces for the IWB will provide much-needed capacity to continue expanding programming.

As part of her remarks, Dean Plowfield noted the IWB, "is one of the best gifts the state has provided our students in the College of Health Professions and our community. Our faculty, staff and students change the lives of families. They add quality to the lives of all who pass through our doors and sign up for our programs. Thank you to everyone today for making this impact possible."

Doug and Therese Erdman giving remarks at podium — In addition to state funds, the IWB services have benefitted greatly from generous donors, including Doug and Therese Erdman (pictured above giving remarks), Ray and Pam Stinar, Tim and Susan Watkins, Dr. Vic Gladston and Mary Saylor. (Lauren Castellana | Towson University)

The Hearing and Balance Center, at 7720 York Rd., has increased its footprint with more space for dedicated evaluation and treatment rooms for client support.

At 7400 York Rd., in addition to a revamped look and feel, the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism, the Occupational Therapy Center and the Speech and Language Center have enhanced layouts with more room to grow and innovate for TU and the community.

“This new space affords us the opportunity to continue growing and addressing the needs of our community,” says Interim President Melanie Perrault. “Initiatives such as this offer future pathways for new programs, especially when they are created to serve the public good – just as we have done with our recently launched Ph.D. program in Autism Studies.”

The new, dedicated faculty and student research space encourages more learning and innovation in the IWB. This supports the growing research activity and creates the ability to recruit human participants related to studies. Ease of access to this space will allow faculty researchers to answer questions and complete studies of high impact and relevance to health, wellness, fitness and quality of life.

The new spaces are more accommodating for the special needs of the audiences served through the IWB. Parking has also expanded and access for students, staff and community members has improved with the large surface lot.

“I have a unique perspective as someone who has experienced the IWB as a student and a faculty member in both the old and new spaces," says Emma Shipley, a clinical supervisor at TU, who received her bachelor's and master's degrees at TU. "This beautiful facility that will continue to propel our university priority of offering innovative and collaborative education for our students. It will also allow us to provide enhanced, quality healthcare to members of our community that I have become so close with.”

Emma is a current student in the inaugural cohort in the autism studies doctoral program and is active in the Hussman Center for Adults with Autism.  