St. Joseph’s Health recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a major behavioral health renovation project that will create a new inpatient psychiatric unit designed to expand access to mental health services and better serve the growing behavioral health needs for the residents of Central New York.
Supported in part by a $16.9 million New York state investment, the project will relocate and transform the hospital’s inpatient psychiatric unit into a newly renovated, two-floor facility within the Clare Loeber Smith Center on the St. Joseph’s Health Hospital campus.
Designed to provide a more therapeutic, patient-centered environment, the new unit will feature natural light, large windows, nature-inspired artwork and an improved layout that enhances patient privacy, safety and recovery.
“This new space will provide expanded opportunities for therapeutic groups, community engagement, and quiet areas, along with a dedicated outdoor recreational courtyard,” said registered nurse Lauren Giannetti, director of acute behavioral health. “These thoughtfully designed renovations will create a welcoming, therapeutic environment and have a meaningful impact on the individuals we serve.”
“This new inpatient psychiatric unit represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of our community,” said Meredith Price, president of hospital operations for St. Joseph’s Health Hospital. “Every day, we see the growing need for timely, compassionate mental health care, and this project reflects our commitment to ensuring patients have access to a safe, healing environment when they need it most.”
As the only hospital in Central New York with a CPEP, St. Joseph’s Health Hospital has long served as a critical access point for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. The inpatient psychiatric unit project is part of a broader strategy by St. Joseph’s Health to strengthen behavioral health services across the continuum of care while addressing the growing demand for mental health providers throughout the region.