New leaders of Ferris State University’s Birkam Health Center and Personal Counseling Center say they are focused on keeping students healthy to succeed in classes and beyond.

Christy Bourdlais will head the Birkam Health Center and Andy Slater will lead the Personal Counseling Center. Both are Ferris State graduates and familiar with student wellness needs.

Bourdlais earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Ferris State in 2010 and is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She has been with Birkam Health Center since the summer of 2016 and has served as BHC’s interim director since March 2022.

“My experience in clinical and administrative roles have helped me to understand the intricacies of insurance as it applies to student accounts and being ready to respond in light of care considerations, such as an influenza outbreak,” Bourdlais said. “I hope to make more students aware that the center can serve them just as a primary care physician would, with clinical response to their concerns, fully capable of writing prescriptions for them, as needed.”

Bourdlais said she is excited by the opportunity to direct Birkam Health Center and collaborate with other university areas.

“There are certainly facilities and areas of expertise that can be applied, to bring about the best possible care for our students,” Bourdlais said. “If we can come together with the College of Pharmacy and other appropriate avenues across campus, I am very willing to utilize all possible resources to support a healthy, well-served university community.”

Slater also came to Ferris State in the summer 2016. He will also be leading anti-violence programming on campus in his role as Personal Counseling Center director.

“Ferris has been very concerted in its efforts to go beyond state and federal requirements of the Department of Education, in assuring rights and protections that are afforded through Title IX regulations,” Slater said. “I am glad for my experiences in counseling and training and will apply those in the leadership of our staff as we offer care and support for each Ferris student.”

Slater sought to build on relationships with peer programs across campus as interim director of the Personal Counseling Center.

“Our students’ mental health needs are growing significantly, especially in terms of the demand they present to our center,” Slater said. “Contact hours for our counselors have increased annually for the last six years, and supporting our students cannot be our battle alone.”

Slater said the counseling staff had addressed this need by providing more training modules with campus partners in the academic and departmental ranks.

“One area where we hope for greater impact is bringing benefit to students who are feeling lonely, though they are among thousands like themselves in our residence halls and on campus,” Slater said. “Creating a caring culture through training and offering outreach so students feel connected is important to their well-being. We believe they will stay on campus and thrive in pursuing their degrees when they truly feel that they belong.” 

Slater also hopes to increase student awareness about Personal Counseling Center availability and opportunities.

“I am not joking when I tell my clients this is likely that last time you might be able to take advantage of counseling for free,” Slater said. “If you have ever been even slightly interested in trying therapy, please come check us out! I am proud to be part of a team of experienced and caring counselors, available to any student who requests our support and understanding.”