By Amy Rotter
Mercy Health
Havenwyck Hospital, an affiliate of Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS), was issued a state Certificate of Need (CON) Proposed Decision on March 29, 2021, tentatively approving development of a new inpatient behavioral health hospital with 60 adult inpatient beds. The proposed facility will include space for the development of 24 additional inpatient beds for geriatric psychiatric patients plus space for future expansion.
While the CON review was pending, Mercy Health and UHS began exploring a potential joint venture to build the new inpatient psychiatric hospital, with capacity for up to 96 beds, including the 24-bed geriatric psychiatric unit, partial hospitalization services and crisis management services, near the Mercy Health Southwest Campus in Kent County. The proposed hospital will address the growing unmet need for accessible, high-quality behavioral health services in West Michigan.
Once Havenwyck Hospital receives a CON Final Decision approving the project, the health organizations expect to finalize the agreement over the next few months. When finalized, the joint venture represents a combination of two powerful forces: UHS, one of the nation’s leading providers of Behavioral Healthcare, and Mercy Health, which is part of Trinity Health, the nation’s second largest Catholic health system.
“The need is here and growing,” said Matthew Biersack, MD, interim president and chief medical officer of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. “The shortage of mental health resources is a national issue. Approval of the CON applications is a positive step forward on our journey to expand access and options serving more patients in Kent county and surrounding communities.”
Mercy Health Saint Mary’s provides behavioral health services through its inpatient unit, outpatient and ambulatory care sites, and tele-psychiatry programs. Demand for services has increased in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the need for inpatient psychiatric capacity for all populations in the region.
UHS is one of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of healthcare in the nation with over 300+ Facilities. UHS’ five Behavioral Health Facilities located in Michigan – Cedar Creek Hospital, Forest View Hospital, Foundations Detroit, Havenwyck Hospital and Skywood Recovery – provide compassionate mental healthcare treatment and services delivered by staff who are dedicated to helping patients transform their lives for the better.
Mercy Health selected UHS as its partner because of its long-standing commitment to patient and family-centered care, strong clinical outcomes and proven track record of partnering with community-based entities.
“We are excited to work together with Mercy Health on the construction of a new facility that will incorporate the latest innovative evidence-based care elements for maximum patient safety,” said Diane Henneman, Divisional Vice President, Behavioral Health, UHS. “Mercy Health is an outstanding provider of critically needed services in West Michigan. Our missions are aligned, and we share a deep commitment to expand access to compassionate care and treatment for all populations in region.”
Subject to final CON and other regulatory approvals, construction on the new inpatient psychiatric hospital would begin in 2021. The facility is expected to open in spring 2023.
