Loyola University Maryland celebrated the grand opening of a new pediatric playroom at Loyola Clinical Centers (LCC) in Belvedere Square on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The ribbon-cutting ceremony officially dedicated the Lisa Higgins Hussman Foundation Pediatric Playroom as a joyful new resource for children visiting the LCC for services.

“By adding this pediatric playroom, the LCC can truly meet children where they are,” shared Kara Vincent, ’91, M.S., ’93, executive director of the Loyola Clinical Centers. “This space is designed to support the development of their speech and language skills, social communication, and overall growth. We’ve designed it as a space to promote curiosity and engagement. We are so grateful to Lisa Higgins Hussman—a Loyola grad, a community leader, and a mom—who saw this opportunity to enhance our services here and make the LCC a more welcoming space for children.” 

The specialized environment of the playroom will support the development of receptive and expressive language skills, social communication, and overall speech and language growth for the children served by the LCC, reflecting its shared commitment to compassionate, mission-driven care. 

In addition to benefiting the community, the playroom will also provide a space for hands-on clinical experience for graduate students training in speech-language-hearing sciences, psychology, and literacy.

The playroom was made possible by a generous contribution from the Lisa Higgins Hussman Foundation. Lisa Higgins Hussman earned her Master's in Business Administration from Loyola in 2008. Higgins Hussman has two children, including her oldest son who was diagnosed with autism in the mid-1990s.

Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., president of Loyola, and Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president, assisted with the ribbon-cutting and spoke at the event. Maryland Del. Regina T. Boyce, Javas Raghavan from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s office, and Lindsey MacGregor from U.S. Congressman Johnny Olszewski's office were in attendance.

“The work that happens here at the LCC is such a beautiful example of how we live out our mission as the Jesuit university in Baltimore,” Sawyer said. “This is a place that truly exists for our Baltimore community—and we are proud of the impact of the work that happens here.”

About Loyola Clinical Centers

The Loyola Clinical Centers strives to strengthen Baltimore, starting with its people and their local communities. Partnering with schools, community centers, medical facilities, and other human service organizations allows all individuals to receive affordable care that treats the whole person—and primes generations of future care providers who have seen the positive outcomes of a community-focused approach first-hand. A dedication to sustained community partnerships ensures more access to care and a stronger Baltimore.