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LewisGale Medical Centre celebrates 50 Years of Mental Health Care in Southwest Virginia
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SALEM, Va. (WDBJ) – For 50 years, LewisGale medical Center has been a cornerstone in mental health care throughout southwest Virginia.
The hospital marked the milestone Tuesday with a special ceremony,honoring the impact of its behavioral health programme and the thousands of lives it has touched.
“in the 50 years, we’ve served over 75,000 patients and we watch them go on to have triumphant lives,” said Leigh Gathings, Vice President of Behavioral Health for the LewisGale Southwest Market.
The event, held in the hospital’s education center, highlighted the history of the program and recognized the staff who’ve helped shape it.
“We have providers that are very dedicated to the service,” Gathings added. “There is no day or night that they cannot be contacted. They will assist their patients and make sure that they have the best service.”
“The 50-year celebration means a lot, especially for this community,” said Leigh Frazier, Chief Clinical Officer at Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare. “By having this inpatient unit here with its attached outpatient services, it allows individuals to stay in the community and not have to travel.”
Frazier said the program has become a training ground for mental health professionals and a lifeline for many families.
“People have come through here and have learned how to take care of individuals and how to handle some of the most difficult situations while preserving that person’s individuality.”
“We made sure we took care of them as a human being,” Frazier added. “And saw them as a person.”
As hospital leaders reflect on five decades of service, they emphasize that the program’s mission remains unchanged: to care for and support every patient.
Evergreen Insights
LewisGale Medical Center‘s 50-year commitment to mental health care underscores the growing need for accessible and comprehensive behavioral health services in communities. The program’s success highlights the importance of integrated inpatient and outpatient care, allowing patients to receive treatment close to home. This approach not only benefits patients and their families but also strengthens the local healthcare ecosystem by fostering skilled professionals and providing a vital safety net.
Frequently Asked Questions about LewisGale’s Mental Health Program
- what milestone is LewisGale Medical Center celebrating?
- LewisGale Medical Center is celebrating 50 years of providing mental health care in southwest Virginia.
- how many patients has LewisGale’s behavioral health program served over 50 years?
- The program has served over 75,000 patients in its 50 years of operation.
- What is the significance of the inpatient unit with attached outpatient services?
- This integrated model allows individuals to receive mental health care within their community, reducing the need for travel.
- What role does LewisGale’s program play in training mental health professionals?
- The program serves as a training ground for mental health professionals, equipping them to handle difficult situations and provide compassionate care.
- What is the core mission of LewisGale’s behavioral health program?
- The program’s mission remains focused on caring for and supporting every patient as a human being.