The Mary A. Rackham Institute (MARI), recently relocated our mental health offices to 210 S. 5th Ave in downtown Ann Arbor. To welcome the community to the new space and to celebrate the move to our building, MARI hosted an Open House on March 22, 2024. The new space was standing room only once at peak capacity, full orf people from the community, training alumni, colleagues, current and former student workers, staff, and leaders from U-M including Michael J. Solomon, Dean of Rackham Graduate School, where MARI sits at the University.
MARI senior director Christine Asidao, Dean Solomon, MARI Clinic and Operations Manager Meaghan Fesler, and MARI Mental Health Director Erin Hunter addressed the crowd with opening remarks. They welcomed all into the new space and into the next era for MARI, mental health in the Ann Arbor community and noted how MARI is not just a service provider, but also a training facility that is preparing the next generation of practitioners.
“What we offer the university and our communities is essential—from our intensive, individually-tailored aphasia treatment to providing treatment and testing for autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to evidence-based treatment for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and relationship challenges to preparing the next generation of clinicians, MARI has stayed true to our founder’s vision of training, service, and research,” said Dr. Asidao. “Now, in 2024, we look forward to the future while honoring the intentions of our founder.”
Dean Solomon echoed the sentiment about MARI’s importance on campus and beyond.
“This location, of course, creates new opportunities for MARI to pursue its mission of offering evidence-based mental health and language and literacy services as well as training for the next generation of practitioners,” he said.
Dean Solomon went on to note: “MARI’s diverse staff and array of services offer critical support not only to those affiliated with the university, but also to those who live in our area and beyond. On behalf of the graduate school and university, I am proud to be MARI’s partner in these efforts, thankful for the many ways MARI improves people’s lives and honors Mary Rackham’s vision, and excited to hear more about this new space and how it will contribute to all that MARI does.”
This event was also covered in the UM student publication, the Michigan Daily. See: Michigan Daily on MARI Open House article.
Some photos from the event.
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- Some of MARI’s trainees also attended the event.
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- Outdoor signage for the new offices.
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- MARI’s senior leadership team.
