Optimus Architecture Supports Mental Health Services at HealthAlliance
Optimus Architecture located in Rhinebeck recently presented a $2,500 check to the Benedictine Health Foundation to purchase new furnishings for the Mental Health Services Unit at HealthAlliance Hospital: Mary’s Avenue Campus, Member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network.
“Mental Health Services at HAHV is extremely grateful for the very generous donation from Optimus Architecture to be used towards new furnishings for the Clinical care areas throughout the department. Enhancements to these areas will provide spaces to promote wellness and recovery for our clients,” stated Arnell Tuttle RN-BC, BS, Administrative Director.
The Mental Health Inpatient units are comprised of a dedicated group of professionals including a Medical Director, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, activity therapists, social workers and mental health technicians. The inpatient unit operates in a team-focused, patient-centered environment where a forward looking approach to behavioral health is combined with compassionate and expert care. The 21-bed inpatient Acute Care Unit provides intensive psychiatric inpatient care and treatment, along with individual, group therapy, life skills, arts, and activities to patients in need of these services. The 19-bed Progressive Care Unit provides psychiatric inpatient care and treatment to patients who require a more open environment and anticipated discharge.
“We are thrilled to give back to our community keeping in tradition with so many multi-generation families in Kingston. It is important that we use our resources wisely to offer our community members the best education, employment and healthcare opportunities so they can grow their careers and families and continue this tradition,” stated David A. Souers, AIA, ACHA, ASHE, Principal Architect at Optimus.
Photo, L to R: Linda and David Souers, Optimus Architecture; Arnell Tuttle, HealthAlliance Mental Health Services; Robert J. Ryan, Jr. and Barbara Klassen, Benedictine Health Foundation
The Benedictine Health Foundation sponsored a professional-education workshop for healthcare and human-services providers Friday, educating them about a widespread but little-understood secret suffering many immigrants experience called “migratory mourning”. More than 80 psychotherapists, licensed clinical social workers, substance-abuse counselors, case managers and other professionals who work with immigrants participated in the daylong event at HealthAlliance Hospital: Mary’s Avenue Campus.
Migratory mourning expert Maria Elena Ferrer, executive director of the Humanamente human services organization, facilitated the workshop. HealthAlliance President and CEO David Scarpino thanked the Foundation for generously sponsoring the workshop. In opening remarks, he also said the workshop was important in increasing compassionate healthcare for immigrant patients. He also said the workshop had special meaning to him as a second-generation Italian.
The event was endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health as supporting the office’s goal to raise awareness of health disparities that affect minorities and to accelerate health equity.
To view photos from the workshop, please click here.
The Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation recently awarded a $10,000 grant to the Benedictine Health Foundation, Inc. in support of a new Comfort Room for inpatient Mental Health Services on the Mary’s Avenue Campus of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley®
A comfort room is a private, tranquil area designed to reduce the use of restraints and seclusion. It helps alleviate patients’ aggression, anxiety and distress, and reduces patient and staff injuries. The Benedictine Health Foundation is pleased to partner with Ulster Savings and HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley®
“The support of the Benedictine Health Foundation and Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation will allow us to improve services to our patient population while maintaining a safe patient care environment,” stated Laurie Muscari, administrative director of Mental Health Services at HealthAlliance.
“We applaud the Benedictine Health Foundation’s efforts to afford preventative, alternative intervention methods to patients within the HealthAlliance Mental Health Services Department,” said MaryRose Warcholak, executive director of the Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation.
The Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation’s mission is to assist the local community in the areas of housing, economic development, education and health & human services.
Dear Friends and Supporters:
Since our last correspondence to you in February, HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley continues to work through the strategic planning process to consolidate the services of their Hospitals located on Mary’s Avenue and Broadway in Kingston into a single-campus model. The purpose of this transformation is to realign and strengthen HealthAlliance to better serve the community. As part of this transition, the structure, mission, and name of Benedictine Hospital has now changed to HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley, Mary’s Avenue Campus.
The Benedictine Health Foundation has recently completed a comprehensive organizational assessment, and our Board of Directors has voted to revitalize our mission and establish a new vision for the future. We will continue to support the work and presence of the Benedictine Sisters within the HealthAlliance system while expanding their legacy of compassionate care throughout Ulster County. As part of our strategic focus and grant-making, moving forward we have established three pillars of excellence:
- Pastoral Care and Education
- Cancer Patient and Family Services including the Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Cancer Fund
- Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
We ask that you please review the attached brochure that provides information about our new Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Focus. The Benedictine Health Foundation’s staff and Board of Directors will continue to raise funds through our annual appeal and our special events (Bike for Cancer Care, Sample, Sip and Savor, the annual Gala and Golf Tournament). Our Foundation is committed to ensure that every dollar we receive is spent in accordance with the donor’s wishes and to effectively address the health care needs of our community.
We are excited about our future, and look forward to a continued partnership with you, our hospitals, pastoral care providers, and others who are sensitive to the needs for quality and compassionate health care. Philanthropy plays a key role in our work. Your contributions, large or small, have value in advancing the Mission of the Benedictine Health Foundation to create a healthier community for us all. Every gift is an act of generosity, and we thank you for your past and future commitment to our success.
If you have further questions, please contact Barbara Klassen, Executive Director, at (845) 334-3186, or via email at BKlassen@benedictinehealthfoundation.org.
With our sincere gratitude,
Richard H. Gillette, President
Barbara Klassen, Executive Director