UNC Health Johnston recently celebrated the opening of additional beds in the behavioral health department. On hand for a ribbon-cutting inside the new space were, from left: Amanda Boe, clinical coordinator; Leonard Pease, interim director; David Mills, chairman of the hospital’s board of directors; Dr. Marilyn Pearson, hospital board member and the county’s director of public health; state Rep. Donna White; Tom Williams, hospital CEO; Ruth Marler, chief operating officer; Ted Godwin, county commissioner; Leslie Jones, the department’s director of social work; Lee Jackson, member of the Alliance Health board; Tracey Carson, vice president of patient care services; Kyle McDermott, vice president of support services; and Dr. Hasan Baloch, medical director for the behavioral health department. UNC Health Johnston photo
SMITHFIELD — UNC Health Johnston has wrapped up a 6,430-square-foot addition to its behavioral health department.
The $4.8 million project, funded by the state, includes office, common and meeting space and six additional inpatient beds, bringing the total to 26.
Since the pandemic, the hospital has seen the demand for mental health services increase with more cases of anxiety, depression and drug use. Before then, and even now with extra space, the department is full most days…
