New Non-Profit Corporation To Give New Life To Former Hospital Building
Representatives from Methodist Hospital, Nebraska Health System and the University of Nebraska Medical Center raised the flag on a new era in the delivery of mental health services with the signing of contracts to form Richard Young Center.
This new mental health partnership is a non-profit corporation jointly sponsored by Methodist Hospital and Nebraska Health System to provide comprehensive mental health services to the region. It will also serve as the primary site for UNMCs psychiatry education for its students and residents.
We have the opportunity to develop a world class program of service, teaching and research, said Sandra Carson, who will be named president and CEO of Richard Young Center at the new entitys first meeting of the board of directors on September 14. And, we will support the citys goals of downtown revitalization by thoroughly utilizing and modernizing the space available on this campus. The increase in activity from the relocation of services and staff will contribute to the development of a dynamic and vital neighborhood.
Most importantly, by combining the strengths of Methodist Richard Young, Nebraska Health System and UNMC, we are creating a comprehensive system of education, research, prevention, treatment and follow up support that is unduplicated in the region. Our community will benefit from having easier access to quality and complete mental health care, Carson said.
Richard Young Center and UNMCs Department of Psychiatry will be headquartered in three buildings on a campus bounded by St. Marys Avenue to the south, Harney Street to the north, 26th Street to the west and 24th Avenue to the east. Approximately $4 million will be invested to renovate the buildings, which include the former Lutheran General Hospital, the Park East Professional Building and the former Methodist Richard Young Hospital. With the exception of some administration support functions housed on the three lower floors, the former Lutheran Hospital had been vacant since 1995.
Staff from Nebraska Health System and UNMCs Department of Psychiatry began relocating to the campus in May. Approximately 400 individuals are expected to work at Richard Young Center when the transition of personnel is completed by the end of the year.
Louis W. Burgher, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Nebraska Health System, echoed Carsons sentiments. This is a natural collaboration for NHS, Methodist Hospital and UNMC, Dr. Burgher said. This approach to mental health care will provide the community with ready access to all of the mental health services it needs in one location.
John Fraser, president and CEO of Methodist Hospital, hailed the joint venture a victory for the entire community, including patients and employees. Richard Young Center will offer a unique alliance among community and academically-based psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health professionals and nursing staff for the provision of a comprehensive range of mental health and substance abuse services, Fraser said. Its good for the patients, the public and its good for the staff.
The educational and research opportunities this partnership will provide for our students, resident physicians and faculty will further benefit our commitment to making UNMC a world class institution. said Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC chancellor. We believe this association will provide the foundation needed to take our psychiatric services and related research to the next level to benefit Nebraska and the region.
Under the agreement, ownership is shared between the two health systems. Richard Young Center will contract with Methodist Health System for administrative and support services.
The comprehensive mental health care offered by the Richard Young Center includes:
Child & Adolescent Community Counseling
General Adult Residential Child & Adolescent Treatment
Intensive Care Geriatric Psychiatry
Dual Diagnosis Eating Disorders
Partial Hospitalization Outpatient Psychiatry
Intensive Outpatient Resident Physicians in Psychiatry
Family Preservation Research in Psychiatric Medicine
Foster Care Psychopharmacological Research
Chemical Dependency Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization
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