Matthew Sprong

Matthew Sprong is an Instructor at the University of Illinois System, currently without an assigned department. His research focuses on vocational rehabilitation, substance use disorders, disability equity, mental health policy, and the application of machine learning in healthcare. His work frequently addresses challenges faced by veterans, individuals with chronic illnesses, and marginalized populations in accessing employment and healthcare services.

Key research themes include:

• Employment outcomes for veterans with substance use/mental health disorders
• Impact of pandemics on healthcare access and vocational programs
• Machine learning applications for predicting health conditions like autism and arthritis
• Disability-related barriers in education and employment
• Ethical considerations in rehabilitation counseling practices

His recent publications (2023-2025) analyze pandemic effects on veteran employment, telehealth adoption trends, and neurofibromatosis-related workplace challenges. He has pioneered nomogram models for pediatric condition screening using machine learning.

Teaching & Service: Teaches rehabilitation counseling courses emphasizing ethical practices and universal design. Advises on policy reforms for disability accommodations in education and workplace settings.

Future Work: Expanding machine learning applications in healthcare surveillance and advocating for equitable employment policies for disabled populations.