Celebration held for impact of MFT, MedFT, Hodgson

Two long-standing and impactful programs in the Department of Human Development and Family Science were celebrated in full force Sept. 7 by College of Health and Human Performance and other East Carolina University representatives, alums and community partners at the ECU marriage and family therapy and medical family therapy anniversary celebration.

This event uplifted the milestones of the ECU marriage and family therapy program, marking 35 years of excellence, and the medical family therapy doctoral program, celebrating 20 years of innovation. Proceeds also supported a new scholarship dedicated to impacting future clinicians and researchers, the Jennifer Hodgson Fund for MFT & MedFT. Online opportunities are still available to support and contribute to the fund.

It also served as a tribute and celebration of Hodgson’s longtime impact. Hodgson played a pivotal role in shaping the success of these HDFS programs, including co-creating the first medical family therapy doctoral program in the nation at ECU.

Dr. Jennifer Hodgson stands with her cake at the event.

Many people who were and still are instrumental to the success of these programs were in attendance, including fellow medical family therapy doctoral program co-creator and Nancy W. Darden Distinguished Professor Dr. Angela Lamson, and more past and present faculty Drs. Mel Markowski, Damon Rappleyea, Andy Brimhall, Jake Jensen, Kayla Reed Fitzke, Erin Roberts, Andrea Trejo, Hodgson, Lisa Tyndall, Mark White and Shelley Green. Past and present administrators included Dr. Sharon Ballard, Susannah Berry and Dr. Cynthia Johnson, along with a video message from former ECU provost, Dr. Marilyn Sheerer. There was a tribute to the late Dr. David Dosser and his impact.

Markowski was described as a “giant in the field” who built the original coursework that became the marriage and family therapy program, and then Markowski shared a message while all of the MFT and MedFT faculty, program directors and clinic directors who have been part of ECU were asked to come forward to share in a presentation of Dosser’s initiation speech.

“In preparing for this event, it was humbling to recognize that we are approaching somewhere around 400 alumni between our two programs and it was so wonderful to be able to connect with past students and faculty who have been part of it one way or another,” Lamson said.

Invited speakers, Bettie Ann Carroll and Drs. Amy Blanchard and Ryan Anderson, provided their reflections as the first graduates from the MFT and MedFT programs. Dr. Tom Irons provided reflections of gratitude for the fierce determination of Hodgson and Lamson in supporting the more than 150 students who have been part of the Greene County Health Care (now Contentnea Health) integrated behavioral health care team, which he helped to establish nearly 20 years ago. Samuel R. Heath shared a passionate voice for the importance of MedFT as a learner and as an ambassador for families who often lack access to the health care they so desperately need. Jeannie Lee, 2024 MFT graduate, shared the longstanding commitment of Hodgson to Greenville’s Parkinson’s Support Group, for which she has contributed more than 20 years of service.

Remarks included congratulating Hodgson for consistency and impact in her years of dedication, vision, service and leadership.

“She has transitioned on to new ways to help improve the health and healthcare systems of our nation,” Lamson said. “She mentioned she did not want tonight to be about her, but how could we not find some ways of sharing our gratitude. Jennifer has given not just through the university, but through countless ways in our community. We are grateful that tonight allowed us to come together to celebrate the programs and Jennifer, but also a way to continue to keep giving to future generations of MFTs and MedFTs.”