Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Butler Hospital Short Stay Unit
Butler Hospital proudly announced the grand opening of its new short stay unit, which will allow patients with mental health challenges to seek treatment at the new facility instead of overcrowded emergency departments at local hospitals, with a speaking program and ribbon cutting ceremony.
The ribbon cutting ceremony featured remarks from CNE and Butler Hospital leadership, Senators Reed and Whitehouse, Governor Dan McKee, elected officials, community partners, and key stakeholders, and a guided facility tour.
The short stay unit is designed to accommodate multiple distinct patient populations achieved through flexible pod systems to ensure that physical space limitations do not impact access to care. Examples include the ability to flex up or down adolescent beds, provide isolation rooms, and help various adult populations to ensure our system remains flexible and nimble.
Renovations for the new unit were made possible through a $4 million earmark that Senators Reed and Whitehouse secured in the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations law, along with $8 million in federal funds that were allocated through the State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF). Governor Daniel McKee and the General Assembly allocated $8 million of these federal SFRF funds for the project in the state’s 2023 budget.
“The construction of the 25-bed short stay unit represents a significant expansion of the hospital’s continuum of care, and eliminates the issue of Emergency Department boarding,” said Mary E. Marran, MS, OT, MBA, President and Chief Operations Officer, Butler Hospital; President, The Providence Center; Senior Vice President, Behavioral Health Service Line, Care New England.
She added, “Our patients are our highest priority, so I am so grateful for the support from our government leaders and community partners who care about our mission to deliver compassionate and comprehensive mental health care services to Rhode Islanders in need of behavioral health services. Together, we brought this project to fruition. The short stay unit is not only an important investment in our healthcare system but will enhance our ability to provide timely and effective care to individuals experiencing acute mental health challenges.”
“This federal funding will help Butler provide better care for patients with mental health needs and reduce overcrowding and wait times at emergency rooms,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee who championed federal SFRF aid for Rhode Island. “Nationwide, hospitals are seeing more emergency room visits that are mental and behavioral health-related and they need to be equipped to respond effectively. Nobody should have to wait for days in crisis in an emergency room. This new short-stay unit will ensure patients who need mental health support can get the medical treatment they need in a safe, therapeutic, appropriate environment.”
“It is more important than ever that we have the space for every Rhode Islander to receive the care they need when they need it,” said US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “I am very pleased to help secure federal funding for Butler’s new short stay unit, which will help alleviate overcrowding at local emergency rooms and expand mental health services for those who need it most. Bravo to Butler for this achievement.”
“Providing Rhode Islanders with the proper behavioral healthcare they need when they need it is crucial to our state’s overall well-being,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This unit will allow for timely, effective support and care while reducing extra strain on emergency rooms in our hospitals. I’m proud that Rhode Island included funding for this new short-term stay unit in our budget, and I’m grateful to Butler Hospital, our partners in the General Assembly, and our congressional delegation for helping us improve health outcomes across the Ocean State.”
“Rhode Island, like so many other states, is in the midst of a behavioral health crisis. The pandemic pushed our entire system to the edge, and we are seeing the fallout in overcrowded emergency rooms and increased wait times for services,” said Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi. “I am thrilled to join Butler Hospital to open its new short stay unit, which will ensure increased access to whole-person care for multiple populations.”
Senator Joshua Miller, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, said, “Addressing our state’s mental health crisis has been a top priority in the Senate, and we are fortunate to have many champions for behavioral and mental health in our chamber. With the support of President Ruggerio and our leadership team, we have also been squarely focused on stabilizing and strengthening Rhode Island’s entire health care system. The new short stay unit at Butler Hospital will advance our efforts to ensure all patients can access appropriate, compassionate care while easing the strain many providers and facilities, including hospital emergency rooms, face every day. As Chairman of the Senate Committee of Health & Human Services, I am grateful for this important investment in Rhode Island’s health, to Butler Hospital and Care New England for their commitment to our state, and to everyone whose efforts brought this new unit to fruition.”
The construction manager for the short stay unit was DPR Construction and the Architect was CannonDesign. The engineers were from BR+A.
About Butler Hospital
Butler Hospital, a member of Care New England, is the only private, nonprofit psychiatric and substance abuse hospital serving adults, seniors, and adolescents in Rhode Island and southeastern New England. Founded in 1844, it was the first hospital in Rhode Island and has earned a reputation as the leading provider of innovative psychiatric treatments in the region. The Major Affiliated Teaching Hospital for Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Butler is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in conducting cutting-edge research. For more information, visit butler.org.
