Angela Wessell

She remembers riding the train with her father through the slums of Philadelphia to Temple University, where he worked.

“As I watched the children sitting on the stoops of their apartment buildings with nothing to do, I realized how many advantages I had in comparison, and I wanted to do something about it,” she said.

“It wasn’t until much later, as an undergraduate student at Emory University, that I realized that ‘something’ was child psychology.”

At Burrell, Wessell started as the project director for a small federal grant initiative to provide treatment to children with mental health issues, working with two staff members.

She now has a staff of more than 80, providing mental health services that are accessible, community-based and conducive to children’s needs and strengths.

To foster that growth, Wessell has written several grants and contracts.

“The largest and most wide-ranged is the Show-Me Kids System of Care Cooperative Agreement, a six-year, $9.2 million grant to improve the system of services for children’s mental health,” said Wessell, who is project and chief clinical director for the grant.

Wessell has formally and informally mentored women, encouraging them to further their education in other fields.

She also supports young women in psychology.

“I have mentored and provided clinical training and supervision for many women ... through the American Psychology Association internship, or through post-doctoral training for licensure as a psychologist in Missouri,” she said.

One of those women, Michelle Siefert, was hired by Burrell to start the Kids Learning About Social Skills program, in January 2005.

“We have tripled the size of the program, and also coordinate it with the (Springfield Area) Chamber of Commerce’s Character Education program,” Wessell said.

In addition to serving with state, regional and national committees and organizations, such as the Coalition of Mental Heath Centers, Wessell’s local community involvement includes Show-Me Kids, Caring Communities and Downtown Springfield Rotary.

She serves on DSR’s foreign exchange committee, through which her family will be host to a Brazilian student this winter.

Personally speaking

As a young child, what did you hope to be when you grew up?

To act in the theater; then as a teenager, either a psychologist, physician or veterinarian.

Please tell us about your family.

My daughter, Rebecca, is a 17-year old senior at Central High School, who is finishing the International Baccalaureate Program. We have two lovely cats. My parents and brother and his family all reside in Atlanta.

What book are you reading now?

I usually read a couple of books at a time; one right now is “In Cold Blood,” by Truman Capote, as I saw the movie and realized I had never read the book.

Besides your parents, who do you consider a mentor or role model?

Dr. Tony Dimalanta, one of the psychiatrists here at Burrell. He has been a wonderful mentor to me on being a compassionate professional as well as compassionate human being, which he exemplifies so well.

Tell us something about you that most people probably don’t know.

I have a wicked sense of humor.

If you could go back in time, what one person would you most like to meet?

Leonardo Da Vinci, because he was so brilliant and visionary.