The recent news of the Health Connection closure saddens me. Many, many people with disabilities and health issues, including myself, have been helped by the competent staff of the Health Connection. We depend on this program for our health and well-being.
The article that appeared in the Tribune on Saturday, March 7, 2009, states: "Cheri Ghan, a spokeswoman for the School of Health Professions, said Dean Richard Oliver considered alternatives to terminating the program ..." I urge Dean Richard Oliver to reconsider. I urge MU to re-evaluate its priorities.
Marion Minor was responsible for the creation of the Health Center. Its purpose was to study rheumatoid arthritis. If the location of the Health Connection is such a problem, why not move it to a location that supports the research? Instead of discarding a program that originally was dedicated to research, consider expanding the program to make it successful. The Health Connection is one of the university's most worthy programs. Its success would not only benefit the university but the community ... the community which continues to support MU.