GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The $98 million Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services begins accepting patients on Monday, March 23.
At a community open house Saturday, big crowds of people got their first look inside the 136,000-square-foot facility on the east side of the sprawling Pine Rest campus in Cutlerville.
It is Michigan’s first facility fully dedicated to the behavioral health of children. It also includes the state’s first pediatric-specific psychiatric urgent care center.
Just inside the doors to greet the line of people eager to get their first glimpse of the building’s interior were Pine Rest officials such as Dr. Mark Eastburg, the president and CEO.
“This is a real exciting event, to be able to show the community … just what we together have built for our kids, our friends, our family, our neighbors and kids that we love,” he told WOOD Radio News.
Funding and turning the center’s concept into a reality was a collaboration between the public sector and philanthropists. Gaines Charter Township officials approved the project about two years ago. Corewell Health’s Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital partnered with Pine Rest on it. The David & Carol Van Andel Family Foundation donated $8 million for the pediatric center, and state funds covered more than $50,000 in startup costs.
It will feature specialty outpatient services for about 10,000 children annually who struggle with eating disorders, substance abuse and autism.
The playful, treehouse-style design will provide a non-institutional environment for children and adolescents. The center began accepting patients on Monday.
Kelly Newland is the clinical services manager of the urgent care portion of the facility.
“We offer a safe place for families and patients to come and be evaluated for any behavioral health crisis,” she said. “We do a clinic needs assessment here. We offer same-day psychiatry appointments. And then, we also offer follow-ups to help bridge any gaps in care. Because, a lot of times, there are long waits to get into psychiatry or get into testing.”
Dr. Gretchen Johnson is the chief nurse and vice president of the hospital. She was with a dog, Marry Puppins, one of several fur babies that were strolling around the pediatric center during the open house.
“Animals are so therapeutic and you can really see people calm down and enjoying be able to pet a dog as a relaxing part of their day,” Johnson said. “Sometimes, it’s a nice reminder of home.”
People can also relax inside a 1,000-square foot space Family Room at the pediatric center. Ronald McDonald House West Michigan teamed up with Pine Rest to hold a grand opening for the family room to coincide with the open house for the pediatric center. It will be operational sometime this spring.
“I think everybody who has a child here needs a place of their own to kind of rest and relax, and kind of de-stress, and I think this room will help them do that,” said Brandi Van Leeuwen, a member of the RMHWM board of directors.
The family room includes soft seating, work stations, and a kitchen.
“Everything about this room should feel comforting,” said Salina Bishop, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House West Michigan. “You have those neutral colors that feel soft and just balanced. And the kitchen is just one of those focal points, too, that should feel like you’re in a home, not in a healthcare setting.”
Bishop said the family room is an extension of the hospitality that is found at the RMH in northeast Grand Rapids.
“Families don’t always need a place to stay overnight. But they might need a place to land when they’re here waiting long hours,” she said. “So, this could be a room for them to rest, relax, maybe shoot off a couple work emails, what have you.”
As for the pediatric center itself, its corporate director, Heather Treib, said Pine Rest officials were just glad to welcome the community.
“And have an opportunity to see the center that was designed with them, for them. And really give them the opportunity to experience it in a positive light and share with others,” she said.
Dr. Heidi Rollings is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Pine Rest. She said she loves hearing kids’ laughter.
“Families smiling and appreciating this space and welcoming it in for everyone,” she said.
Treib thanked the community for its support of the pediatric center.