Springfield Outpatient

Kerry Henry has been with Gateway since 1994 and has worked in both the community and corrections divisions during her career. Since 2009, Henry has been in an executive leadership role overseeing the central Illinois programs.

Kerry is very proud to work for an organization that is a leader in the industry and genuinely cares about those who are suffering from substance use disorders. She finds working in the field to be challenging but rewarding in that the staff have the ability to help people regain and change lives for the better.

Kerry earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is a certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC)

Mercedes Kent is the Program Director of Central Illinois Outpatient. She joined the Gateway Foundation team in 2008. Mercedes obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Social work from the University of Illinois-Springfield. She then continued her educational path to obtain her Master’s Degree in Social Work, specializing in Mental Health, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Clinical Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor.  Mercedes coordinates the Internship program and provides clinical supervision to both Bachelors and Masters level students.

As the Program Director, Mercedes is inspired by change and helping patient’s overcome insurmountable obstacles each day. She is an integral part of the Alumni Program and provides multiple trainings to staff. Mercedes also serves as a liaison to the media to share Gateway Foundation’s programs and resources as well as educating the public about substance use and mental health concerns and how to effectively cope.