LANSING, Mich. — University of Michigan Health Sparrow is making a big move. They are investing over $140 million to build two new facilities in Lansing. This will replace the aging Saint Lawrence campus with a brand-new behavioral health hospital and an ambulatory surgery center.
Recently, the University of Michigan Board of Regents green-lit these projects. According to Margaret Dimond, the health system’s Regional President, the new facilities will offer better treatments and an enhanced patient experience.
The new $83 million behavioral health hospital will feature 64 beds for inpatient care, serving elderly, adults, and children. Dimond noted that the current campus, which is over 100 years old, is not feasible for updates.
Victor Hong from Michigan Medicine added that Lansing has a shortage of mental health options for younger patients. “Many children and adolescents needing care get sent over an hour away. This new facility will really help those in need,” he said.
Originally, the plan included 120 beds, but much of the treatment will now be outpatient. The second project, a $60 million ambulatory surgery center, will help ease the pressure on the hospital’s operating rooms, which are operating near capacity. Ann Marie Creed, president of UM Health-Sparrow Lansing, explained that the new center will have four operating rooms, with the potential for two more if needed.
Remarkably, the health system is funding these projects entirely on its own, without public money. While they are not relying on taxpayer funds, they are accepting donations to support the initiative.
Construction is set to kick off as early as this summer, with an aim to finish by 2028.
Investments like this highlight a growing focus on mental health. According to a recent report by the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness, making these new facilities extremely relevant.
Building new healthcare facilities can bring attention to these crucial issues and potentially improve outcomes for many vulnerable individuals.
For more on healthcare developments in Michigan, check out the UM Health site for official updates.
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