Baptist Medical Center Opens New Inpatient Behavioral Health Facility on the St. Johns River
34-Bed Unit Will Serve Adult Patients

Jacksonville, Florida, November 18, 2008 -- On November 5, Baptist Medical Center opened its new 34-bed inpatient Behavioral Health facility on the St. Johns River. The former Riverfront business offices were renovated to make way for the new facility, which replaces the unit formerly in Baptist's original 1955 main hospital building.

The new facility is staffed by a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, recreational therapists, social workers and mental health technicians.

While comfortable with a homelike feel, the facility also offers state-of-the-art features that meet the therapeutic and safety needs of our patients and staff. To make it even more aesthetically pleasing, the unit features peaceful, river-themed artwork created by local artists that is visible throughout. The art was funded by the Baptist Medical Center Auxiliary.

"It is also our plan to create a 'River Room' that will enable our patients to enjoy our beautiful St. Johns River in this therapeutic setting," says Michael Lanier, vice president of Community and Behavioral Health. "It will be on the ground floor, extending out to the river's edge, allowing our patients to enjoy the sights, sounds and gentle breezes our river affords in a secure patio setting."

Serving the mental health needs of our community has been a hallmark for Baptist Health throughout its history. Hugh Greene, president and CEO of Baptist Health, says: "We believe that health care is about more than taking care of patients' physical needs, but also their mental health and spiritual needs while they are under our care. Behavioral health is a critical service in our community and Baptist Health is proud to offer the area's only mental health resource of its kind for adults and children, along with this new unit for adults."

Baptist Behavioral Health's comprehensive programs include inpatient, partial hospitalization and outpatient services, along with a 24-hour crisis help line. The program is staffed by licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychiatric nurses, creative arts therapists, and mental health counselors.