Although still awaiting final regulatory approvals to allow patient services to begin, WMCHealth’s MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its refurbished and expanded inpatient behavioral health unit. The hospital’s Behavioral Health Center of Excellence now has 60 patient beds, an increase from its previous 40 bed capacity.
Other enhancements include: updated patient rooms and common areas with more natural light to improve the recovery process; a new patient comfort room where patients can listen to music and relax; and additional group activity and therapy space.
“Our Behavioral Health Center of Excellence reflects our deep commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-quality behavioral health care across the full continuum from inpatient and emergency services to outpatient addiction treatment,” said Elissa Chessari, executive director of WMCHealth’s Northern Region. “While the need for these services continues to increase, we are expanding access, strengthening support, and ensuring that individuals and families in our community can receive the compassionate care they need to heal, recover, and thrive.”
Stephen J. Ferrando, chair of psychiatry at WMCHealth said, “By expanding capacity at MidHudson Regional Hospital, we can help more Hudson Valley residents get the right level of care close to home and connect them to follow-up services that sustain recovery after discharge.”
“The need to provide exceptional mental illness and substance use services for patients in the Hudson Valley has never been greater, and this investment is critical to the communities across the Hudson Valley that we serve,” said David Lubarsky, president and CEO of WMCHealth. “This new inpatient unit is a transformative investment by the WMCHealth Network in behavioral health services at MidHudson Regional Hospital, and community well-being in Poughkeepsie and the surrounding areas.”
The expansion and upgrade plan was announced in 2022 with Dutchess County committing to fund the $3 million project.
“This investment in the new Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at MidHudson Regional Hospital is a powerful step forward for the health and well-being of our community, expanding access to essential behavioral health services for individuals and families and ensuring care is both comprehensive and close to home,” said Dutchess County Executive Sue Seriono.
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann Sullivan said, “Celebrating the renovations that have led to the opening of the MidHudson Regional Hospital Behavioral Health Center of Excellence is an apt way to kick off May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. With additional inpatient and outpatient capacity at this facility, Westchester Medical Center Health Network is helping to ensure residents of the Hudson Valley can access critical mental health services whenever they are needed.”
