Greenwich, CT (October 31, 2024) – Greenwich Hospital, in partnership with the Greenwich United Way, celebrated the opening of its new Adolescent Behavioral Health Outpatient Program – the first of its kind in the community for young people ages 12-18 years.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 30 at Greenwich Hospital honored the community members whose generous support made the new program possible.

The center is geared specifically to meet the unique behavioral health needs of adolescents, and includes intensive outpatient services, cognitive-behavioral group interventions and medication management. Additionally, in collaboration with Yale Psychiatry, considered a world leader and innovator within the mental health field, the initiative includes research to improve the treatment options for young people. Located at 500 W. Putnam Avenue, the adolescent program is housed in the heart of Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Pediatric Specialty Center in Greenwich.

“As we are all aware, our nation is grappling with a mental health epidemic that is impacting our younger population in an unprecedented way. No community is immune, including our own,” said Greenwich Hospital Board Chair W. Robert Berkley, Jr., who addressed the ribbon-cutting guests. “Tonight, we are here to celebrate the launch of a groundbreaking program for the youth in the communities we serve. This moment has been made possible through the generous contributions of time, energy, and resources by many people in the Greenwich Hospital community.”

Berkley thanked Greenwich residents Richard and Ellen Richman, who led a 1:1 match that inspired many in the community to join in their generosity. Also recognized were Greenwich residents Scott and Icy Frantz, whose substantial gift to the program contributed to bringing this high level of care to adolescent patients.

“Through community support, $5.1 million was raised, of which $1.6 million came from the Greenwich United Way,” said Noël Appel, SVP & chief development officer at Greenwich Hospital. “The United Way’s fundraising for the program covered the design and construction costs of the space, demonstrating their shared commitment to providing vital services to adolescents in need of mental health care.”

“This program is the first of its kind in Greenwich and will be integral to helping overcome the mental health challenges plaguing our youth and adolescents,” said David Rabin, CEO of Greenwich United Way. “The results from our 2020 Needs Assessment showed that mental health was a top three need within our community. We are so pleased that this partnership, with the support of our donors, has enabled access to expert behavioral health care.”

“Through our work together we are expanding services exponentially, and importantly, breaking down barriers to care,” said Greenwich Hospital President Diane P. Kelly, DNP, RN, who has championed Greenwich Hospital’s plans to increase the breadth and scope of its mental health offerings.

The hospital’s initiatives surrounding Behavioral Health, through its Arc of Care Campaign, has brought intergenerational outpatient services into the community for adolescents as well as for young adults and adults.

In addition to the adolescent outpatient center, Greenwich Hospital has also opened a new Intensive Outpatient Program for patients 19 years and older. The hospital also opened a new Interventional Psychiatry Service at 5 Perryridge Road. This program is an extension of Yale Medicine’s Interventional Psychiatry Service – home to some of the world’s most pioneering experts within the field.

Greenwich Hospital is a member of Yale New Haven Health. Greenwich is a 206-bed regional medical center serving lower Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Westchester County, New York. It is a major academic affiliate of Yale School of Medicine. Founded in 1903, Greenwich Hospital has evolved into a progressive medical center and teaching institution representing all medical specialties and offering a wide range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and wellness programs. Greenwich Hospital is recognized throughout the healthcare industry as a leader in service and patient satisfaction excellence. Greenwich Hospital has the prestigious Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence.

Greenwich Hospital’s Office of Development works with hospital leadership and members of our community to secure the philanthropic resources necessary to drive forward progress and innovation in health care. Thanks to these visionary leaders, Greenwich Hospital is ideally positioned to bring the most compassionate and advanced medical care to all we serve.