ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to open its new Mental Health Center. Built by Archer Western and joint venture partner DeMaria Building Company, the 155,000-square-foot facility consolidates mental health programs and services into one centralized location.
“The opening of this beautiful new facility will allow our dedicated mental health professionals the opportunity to deliver state-of-the-art, integrated, and veteran-centered mental health services to America’s heroes in a convenient and accessible location,” said Suzanne M. Klinker, director, Bay Pines VAHCS.
The mental health center includes a clinic on the ground level, 60 inpatient beds in six 10-bed residential rehabilitation wings on the second floor, and 40 inpatient beds in four 10-bed wings on the third floor.
The building’s sustainable design utilizes natural light in patient care areas to promote a healing environment, as well as provide reduced energy costs. The facility incorporates other sustainable elements including various solar, water, and electrical efficiency systems.
With more than 108,000 veterans seeking services from Bay Pines VA each year, the new Mental Health center is part of the VA’s nationwide initiative for the modernization of patient care delivery services.
Source: www.walshgroup.com.
