New Inland Northwest Behavioral Health Hospital Opens

Spokane, WA (September 20, 2018) – Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) and Providence Health Care today announced the opening of Inland Northwest Behavioral Health, a new behavioral health hospital that greatly expands access to inpatient and outpatient mental health services across the region. The new hospital, located at Fifth Avenue and Browne Street, is a joint venture between UHS and Providence.

Currently the only hospital in eastern Washington providing emergency and short-term inpatient psychiatric care, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital is regularly at capacity and unable to accept additional patients from Spokane and the surrounding region. Providence selected UHS for its expertise in behavioral health treatment, its history of collaboration and commitment to serving the community.

Inland Northwest Behavioral Health will open its doors and begin accepting patients in early October 2018. In addition to serving adults, the new facility will be opening a unit for adolescents in 2019. Over time, the facility will continue to add programs and services to support the community’s needs.

“We are very pleased to partner with Providence in opening Inland Northwest Behavioral Health, a critically needed resource to serve the current and growing needs for inpatient behavioral healthcare in the community,” said Debbie Osteen, UHS Executive Vice President, and President of the Behavioral Health Division. “We have hired an excellent team of caring clinicians and staff who are focused on delivering robust clinical outcomes for patients and their families.”

“This is a pivotal development for Spokane and the broader inland northwest region,” said Elaine Couture, Executive Vice President/Regional Chief Executive, Providence Washington & Montana region. “The new hospital builds on our long tradition of service to this vulnerable population, and begins building a long-term solution to a critical issue in the community. By working together, we will be able to utilize the expertise of both organizations, expand on the services Providence currently offers while providing a more seamless and coordinated care experience for patients.” 

According to Washington State Mental Health Division (SpokaneCares.org), 8 percent of people in Spokane County have a mental illness or serious emotional concern, compared to the state average of 5 percent. Nearly 23,000 people in the county have an identifiable mental health condition. In addition, 20-25 percent of the single adult homeless population suffers from some form of severe and persistent mental illness. The new 100-bed Inland Northwest Behavioral Health hospital will make significant progress in filling a gap of critically needed treatment options while bridging services with other health providers throughout the community.

According to Dorothy Sawyer, CEO of Inland Northwest Behavioral Health (INBH), “Our philosophy of treatment embodies the belief that mental health wellness is the cornerstone for good physical health and well-being.  At Inland Northwest Behavioral Health, clinical treatment, support and education for individuals with mental illness and their families is the basis of our programming. Relying on the principles of recovery, inpatient and outpatient programming at INBH will focus on strength, hope and recovery.  Using evidence-based treatment methods, individuals with mental illness can and do, lead healthy and productive lives.”

“UHS and Fairfax Behavioral Health are excited to once again partner with Providence and expand our relationship in the state,” said Ron Escarda, Group Director, Universal Health Services. “Working together, we are providing an integrated behavioral health continuum that will better serve the needs of the community.”

About Inland Northwest Behavioral Health Hospital

Inland Northwest Behavioral Health is a new 100-bed inpatient psychiatric hospital that provides comprehensive assessment and effective treatment for adolescents, adults and older adults. The hospital is a joint venture of Providence Health Care and Universal Health Services. Our goal is to provide quality behavioral health services, promote wellness and improve the community’s understanding of mental health. We believe our individualized treatment and specialty approach can make a difference in our patients’ lives.

About Universal Health Services

One of the nation’s largest and most respected hospital companies, Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, UHS today has annual revenues of $10 billion. In 2018, UHS was recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune, ranked #268 on the Fortune 500; and in 2017, listed #275 in Forbes inaugural ranking of America’s Top 500 Public Companies.

Our operating philosophy is as effective today as it was 40 years ago, enabling us to provide compassionate care to our patients and their loved ones: Build or acquire high quality hospitals in rapidly growing markets, invest in the people and equipment needed to allow each facility to thrive, and become the leading healthcare provider in each community we serve.

Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has more than 83,000 employees and through its subsidiaries operates more than 326 inpatient acute care hospitals and behavioral health facilities, and 32 outpatient and other facilities in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom.

About Providence Health Care

Providence Health Care is the Eastern Washington region of Providence Health & Services, a not-for-profit Catholic health care ministry committed to providing for the needs of the communities it serves – especially for those who are poor and vulnerable. In Eastern Washington, the Providence Health Care network of services includes Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, Providence Holy Family Hospital and St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, as well as two critical access hospitals in Colville and Chewelah. Adding to a full continuum of services are Providence Medical Park in Spokane Valley (a comprehensive multi-specialty center), three urgent care centers, home health, assisted living, adult day health and skilled nursing care. Providence Medical Group of Eastern Washington includes more than 800 physicians and advanced practitioners. Its medical staff includes primary care providers, surgical subspecialists and medical specialists. For more information, visit providence.org.