(Joplin, MO) – As mental issues and emotional distress continually impact our community and society overall, new behavioral health professionals were celebrated, with their careers set to begin upon completion of their higher education.
Eleven interns — nearly double last year’s six interns — were recognized at Ozark Center’s Hope Springs location as they signed letters of intent to continue working full-time at Ozark Center, the area’s most comprehensive provider of behavioral health care.
Each of the students has interned at various Ozark Center locations throughout Joplin, alongside Ozark Center professionals, while completing bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
In his opening remarks, Ozark Center Chief Clinical Officer Timothy Camp, a 32-year employee, was optimistic about the careers the lie ahead of the interns recognized. “Our society needs people like you – people who are interested in bringing relief to people who are experiencing some of the worst that life can throw at them.”
Camp continued by expressing gratitude to the families, friends, and educators of the interns. “This is a place where people who have a healing perspective toward others gather. That extends not only to the people who trust us with their care, but also to the staff working with us, so I want to thank you not only for raising someone who wants to help take care of people, but also for trusting us enough to be the first place someone you’ve raised wants to practice professionally.”
Shannon Dalton, Ozark Center Student Program Development Specialist, served as the evening’s emcee, recognizing the following students:
- Brieanna ‘Brie’ Anderson, MSW, began the Ozark Center Internship Program in 2025. After graduating from Missouri State University, Anderson will work for either Urgent Behavioral Solutions or Crisis Services.
- Jacy Barth, LPC, joined the Ozark Center Internship Program in 2025 for her final rotation. After graduating from John Brown University, Barth will work at Ozark Center Hope Springs as a therapist.
- Jill Bryant, PMHNP,began as an intern in 2024. After graduating from Chamberline University, Bryant will be joining two teams, at the Stephens Unit and at Urgent Behavioral Solutions.
- Amy Chapman, PMHNP, began her internship in 2024 and will graduate from Cox College of Professional Nursing in Springfield, Mo. Upon graduation, Chapman will join the team at Ozark Center Will’s Place.
- Harmouni Cundiff,MSW, She began her internship in 2024. She graduated from Missouri State University. Upon graduation, she will be joining the Hope Spring location as a therapist.
- Jennifer Harris, BSW, began her internship journey with the Ozark Center Internship Program in 2024. After graduating from Walden University with a bachelor’s in social work, Harris will work for Ozark Center New Directions and work toward a master’s of social work.
- Brian King, PMHNP, started as an intern in January 2024. Upon graduating from Cox College of Professional Nursing in Springfield, Mo., Upon graduation, King will work at Ozark Center’s Hope Spring location.
- Emily ‘Em’ Paschal, MSW,began her internship journey with Ozark Center in 2024. Since graduating from Walden University, Paschal has successfully completed the Association of Social Work Boards MSW exams has begun as a therapist at the Stephens Unit.
- Cassidy Richards, MSW, joined the Ozark Center Internship Program in 2023 and continued her internship into 2025. Soon to graduate from Missouri State University, Richard will join Ozark Center’s RECONNECT Eating Disorder team as a Skills Coach.
- Sheba Lewis, RMA, began with Ozark Center in 2025 to earn clinical hours. She is a graduate of Wichita Technical Institute. After completing her clinical hours, she joined the team at the Hope Spring location as a Registered Medical Assistant.
- Rheana Wade-Macios, MSW, will soon graduate from Walden University. She began her internship with Ozark Center in 2023. Upon graduation she will be joining Urgent Behavioral Solutions.
About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2020, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System the Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri for 2020-2021. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 80 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
About Ozark Center:
Ozark Center is based in Joplin, Missouri and has been an entity of Freeman Health System since 1996. It has been providing comprehensive behavioral health services to children, adults and families since 1965 in an area that includes more than 450,000 residents from the Four States. Ozark Center continually looks for innovative ways to address the behavioral health needs of the community and promote awareness of behavioral health issues in an effort to eliminate the discrimination associated with it. For more information, visit ozarkcenter.com or call 417.347.7600.
Reference:
Ozark Center
Freeman Health System
417.347.7600
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