On Wednesday, December 12 beginning at 10 a.m., Tower Health will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Tower Health Behavioral Care Pavilion, which will be operated in partnership with Acadia Healthcare. The event will be held at 10 a.m. at the site of the future Pavilion, 2400 Bernville Road in Reading. The media is invited to attend this private event.
Clint Matthews, President & CEO, Tower Health, Steve Davidson, Chief Development Officer, Acadia Health, and John Weidenhammer, Chairman, Reading Hospital Board of Trustees will make remarks at 10:15 a.m.
The 2016 Berks County Community Health Needs Assessment identified behavioral healthcare and chemical dependency treatment services as one of the region's most-critical needs. The study showed that one in five residents of Berks County has been diagnosed with either an anxiety or depressive disorder and two in five had activity limitations due to poor physical or mental health.
"This new facility will enhance our ability to address this significant community health need," said Clint Matthews, President and CEO, Tower Health. "Tower Health is recognized for its leading-edge medical care, and Acadia Healthcare is a nationally renowned provider of behavioral healthcare services. With our combined expertise, we will provide the region with the highest standard of behavioral health and chemical dependency treatment services available."
The Tower Health Behavioral Care Pavilion, scheduled to open in 2020 will include a 144-bed inpatient hospital. The scope of services will include inpatient adolescent, adult and geriatric psychiatric care; partial hospitalization; intensive outpatient program services; outpatient counseling; physician professional services and consultations; and chemical dependency treatment. The new facility will increase the number of inpatient beds as well as local outpatient services, and it will enable the providers to effectively engage with patients, families and other members of the patient's support team.
"Behavioral health conditions and mental illness are no different than a physical illness such as diabetes, or cancer.," said Steve Davidson, Chief Development Officer, Acadia Healthcare. "As a society, we must work to reduce the stigma of mental illness and to advance understanding that mental health conditions are treatable. We are excited about the groundbreaking of the Pavilion, and the ability for Tower Health and Acadia Healthcare to further enhance access to much-need behavioral health services in the region."
About Tower Health
Tower Health is a strong, regional, integrated healthcare provider/payer system that offers leading-edge, compassionate healthcare and wellness services to a population of 2.5 million people. With approximately 14,000 team members, Tower Health consists of Reading Hospital in West Reading; Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville; Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia; Jennersville Hospital in West Grove; Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville; Pottstown Hospital in Pottstown; and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, a partnership of Tower Health and Drexel University in Philadelphia. It also includes Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing; Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences in West Reading; home healthcare services provided by Tower Health at Home; and a network of 22 urgent care facilities across the Tower Health service area. Tower Health offers a connected network of 2,200 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across more than 230 convenient locations. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.