Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc. has announced a joint venture with ECU Health (formerly Vidant Health), the premier health system in eastern North Carolina. This partnership aims to establish a state-of-the-art behavioral health hospital with 144 beds in the medical district of Greenville, North Carolina.
The forthcoming facility will serve as a center of excellence, offering North Carolinians vital access to behavioral health services and specialized treatment from expert clinical teams in a meticulously designed environment. Notably, the hospital will feature 24 inpatient beds dedicated to children and adolescents with mental health needs, a first of its kind in the service area of ECU Health.
Scheduled to open in spring 2025, the hospital will operate as a joint venture between ECU Health and Acadia. The organizations will invest approximately $65 million to expand behavioral health resources in eastern North Carolina. Additionally, the hospital will serve as a teaching institution, providing training opportunities for students and residents from the esteemed Brody School of Medicine.
Chris Hunter, CEO of Acadia Healthcare, expressed pride in partnering with ECU Health to deliver crucial behavioral health services. This joint venture marks Acadia's 18th partnership with a leading U.S. health system, expanding their acute service line into the North Carolina market. The collaboration aims to support the development of the next generation of behavioral health professionals and clinicians, particularly in the face of the ongoing behavioral health and substance use crisis. Hunter expressed enthusiasm in commencing this significant work alongside a dedicated and patient-focused partner.
Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO of ECU Health and dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, emphasized the substantial benefits the hospital will bring to patients and the state. The partnership with a nationally recognized leader like Acadia is expected to enhance their level of expertise, implement proven best practices, and improve the quality and availability of behavioral health services for patients.
