Ascension Wisconsin has completed a $10 million expansion of its behavioral health services at Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee with the goal of establishing a regional center of excellence aimed at addressing rising demand for psychiatric care in southeast Wisconsin.
The project includes renovation of 12,000 square feet of hospital space and the addition of 36 inpatient behavioral health beds—10 for adolescents and 26 for adults. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Thursday morning with the space expected to officially open on July 1.
Hospital leadership said the expansion is intended to improve access to care for patients with both behavioral health conditions and complex medical needs, including those requiring additional physical support that may not be accommodated in traditional psychiatric settings.
The facility will offer a range of services, including advanced interventional psychiatry such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato nasal therapy, along with integrated addiction treatment programs that include same-day access and 24/7 recovery coaching.
“(The space) is designed around the concept of the Wisconsin garden,” said Angie Wisniewski, vice president of neurosciences and behavioral health service lines. “We call them the nature motifs of warm watercolor gardens and rich, grounding colors. We have created an environment that supports peace and recovery for our patients.”
“Our vision is to answer the call to bring health, healing and hope to all, with special attention to those most vulnerable,” said Scott Cihak, chief operating officer and interim CEO from Ascension Wisconsin. “By establishing this regional center of excellence, we are optimizing our workforce and ensuring a comprehensive continuum of care that addresses the full array of behavioral health needs in our region.”
The health system also highlighted ongoing initiatives across its network, including 24/7 telepsychiatry services in emergency departments, expanded peer support for substance use disorders, and wider use of behavioral health screening tools in primary care settings. The organization reported increases in screening rates for both depression and unhealthy alcohol use over the past two years.
“There is a significant need to expand inpatient behavioral health services, particularly to support geriatric patients and first responders in need of specialized support, and Ascension is exploring all options to meet these needs,” a handout from Thursday’s event says.
Future expansion will depend on securing additional funding and state support, according to the handout.
Please find the original story published by Hunter Turpin and BizTimes here: Ascension nears opening of $10 million behavioral health expansion at St. Francis Hospital
