Columbus Community Hospital welcomed Tara Sjuts, PhD, LP as the newest provider at Columbus Psychiatry Clinic

Columbus Community Hospital welcomed Tara Sjuts, PhD, LP, in December 2021 as the newest provider at Columbus Psychiatry Clinic. Sjuts is a licensed psychologist who has extensive experience working with children, teens and families.

In January 2022, Sjuts received approval from the Nebraska Department of Education to perform individual educational evaluations (IEE) through the clinic. She is the first provider at the clinic certified to perform such assessments.

“She is an exceptional psychologist,” said Dr. Venkata Kolli, psychiatrist with the Columbus Psychiatry Clinic. “She can now help families and educators understand what additional accommodations and services are needed to make children more successful.”                                                                                                                       

Parents, children and educational institutions seeking special education accommodations for a student will undergo an initial evaluation through the school district to determine if the student needs special accommodations. If the student does not qualify, or the parents do not agree on the recommended accommodations, then they can pursue an IEE as a second opinion.

An IEE is an assessment the student completes with a qualified administrator outside the school system to help formulate and improve existing educational plans.

“An independent educational evaluation is a valuable tool for parents and schools,” said Korie Whitmore, director of clinics at the hospital. “It is an effective way to generate new insights from a different perspective. Dr. Sjuts’ expertise and skill in providing quality, accurate evaluations are the foundation for creating a plan to meet your child’s needs best.”

For more information on Sjuts or the services available at Columbus Psychiatry Clinic, visit our website at www.columbushosp.org.