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Penn State Health (PSH) announced on May 18 the creation of a new division, Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, which combines the two services under a single umbrella. With this transition, PSH seeks to expand access to these services across Pennsylvania.
The move includes integrating inpatient service locations. Inpatient services that were previously provided at Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute (PPI) will relocate to Holy Spirit Medical Center in Camp Hill. Fifty-three beds will open July 13 on the hospital’s third and fourth floors, adding to its existing 31-bed behavioral health unit and outpatient program. Holy Spirit Medical Center will continue to operate as a full-service community hospital and trauma center.
“By unifying these services and combining the strengths of our professionals, we are enhancing patient care, efficiency, collaboration and innovation,” Dr. Erika Saunders, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Penn State Health, said in a statement.
The unified model at Holy Spirit will offer a full interdisciplinary care team for adults, adolescents and children with behavioral health needs and complex medical conditions. The model includes specialized programming and advanced therapies like a new transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) program for conditions including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and smoking cessation.
Outpatient services will continue in Harrisburg, with select programs moving to newly renovated spaces. Third Street Clinic will relocate to 1521 N. 6th Street beginning Aug. 10. Advancement in Recovery (AIR) Program will relocate to 100 N. Cameron Street beginning Sept. 8. Division Street Clinic will remain at its current location.
“Our goal is to ensure that these vital services remain available and accessible to patients throughout the region,” Leslyn Williamson, regional president of Holy Spirit and Hampden medical centers, said in a statement.