MMA and Arthur Center Community Health Partner to Support Cadet Wellness

Missouri Military Academy (MMA) and Arthur Center Community Health have entered into a new partnership aimed at supporting the overall health and wellness services available to cadets.

Feature photo above: From left to right: Arthur Center CEO Brock Lough, MMA Director for Human Resources Melissa Miller, Arthur Center Lead for School-Based Initiatives Kerri Ferrari, and MMA President Brigadier Geraci pose for a photo after the signing of a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) on October 15, 2025.

This collaboration expands access to behavioral health, primary care, and dental services for MMA cadets, helping ensure that every young man has the resources and support needed to thrive academically, physically, and emotionally.

The health partnership builds upon the on-campus medical services already provided through the Ekern Health Center, which offers routine and non-routine care, on-campus provider visits, and medication management for cadets. 

Key services available through the Arthur Center partnership include:

• On-campus behavioral health support, including counseling, therapy, community support, and crisis intervention
• Referrals for primary and dental care, including optometry, through Arthur Center’s comprehensive network of providers
• Training sessions for all faculty, staff, and cadets on campus once each semester, plus one virtual training session for parents per semester, focused on recognizing mental health needs, building resilience, and supporting overall wellness

“This partnership with Arthur Center Community Health directly supports MMA's 360° Education by addressing every aspect of cadet development — mind, body, and spirit,” said Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret), MMA president. “By expanding access to behavioral health services and proactive education for our entire community, we are reinforcing our mission to help each cadet reach his full potential and lead a healthy, purpose-driven life.”

The Arthur Center's Kerri Ferrari attended the Academy's Fall Family Weekend to talk with parents about the new partnership and opportunities to support their cadets' health.

Arthur Center Community Health and Missouri Military Academy will continue to meet regularly through an advisory committee to evaluate program impact, maintain service quality, and adjust offerings as needs evolve.

For more information about this partnership, please contact MMA Director for Human Resources Melissa Miller at Melissa.Miller@MissouriMilitaryAcademy.com or MMA Ekern Health Clinic Manager Lana Doedli, LPN, at Lana.Doedli@MissouriMilitaryAcademy.com.

To learn more about Arthur Center Community Health and its school-based services, visit www.arthurcenter.com.