On Thursday, officials with IRMC and other health agencies broke ground on the new behavioral health facility.
(From L to R: Kami Anderson, Heather Reed, Joseph Reschini, Senator Joe Pittman, Nathan Kovalchick, Stephen Wolfe, Dr. Joseph Bzogany, and Tammy Calderone standby to break ground on the new IRMC Behavioral Health Center. Photo by Josh Widdowson
The new 31,000 square foot facility next to the Medical Arts Building will specialize in giving Indiana County and the surrounding region the best in mental health care. Dr. Joseph Bzogany said that this new facility will have a major impact as there will be mental health units for both adults and adolescents, an expansion of outpatient services and the introduction of other treatment modalities. But the biggest impact will be on the emergency department as there will be a reduction of what’s called ED Boarding. That’s where patients who need hospitalization for mental health issues wait for weeks in the ER for a bed to open up in the community.
IRMC President and CEO Stephen Wolfe said that IRMC has received support from the community and the state through Senator Joe Pittman and Representative Jim Struzzi. So far, fundraising for the $19.1 million project is off to a great start.
Construction should begin soon, with the building expected to be ready by Fall of 2024.
State Senator and Majority Leader Joe Pittman
IRMC Healthcare Foundation Executive Director, Heather Reed
PMCN Board President Nathan Kovalchick and IRMC Healthcare Foundation Board President Joseph Reschini
Department Chair of IRMC Mental Health Sciences, Dr. Joseph Buzogany
Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission Executive Director, Kami Anderson
Armstrong-Indiana Behavioral and Developmental Health Program Administrator, Tammy Calderone
