New York Medical Center in Irving opens its doors
Pictured is one of the rooms of the newly renovated New York Medical Center, set to open for behavioral health and addiction recovery patients on Monday.
Several dozen guests attended a celebration of the opening of New York Medical Center in Hanover on Thursday.
Raymond Manning, Chief Executive Officer at New York Medical Center, applauds with a crowd of several dozen guests in attendance at a ceremony to open New York Medical Center in Hanover.
Raymond Manning, Chief Executive Officer at New York Medical Center, smiles as he holds the giant scissors following the cutting of a ribbon to celebrate New York Medical Center opening its doors.
Pictured is one of the rooms of the newly renovated New York Medical Center, set to open for behavioral health and addiction recovery patients on Monday.
Several dozen guests attended a celebration of the opening of New York Medical Center in Hanover on Thursday.
Raymond Manning, Chief Executive Officer at New York Medical Center, applauds with a crowd of several dozen guests in attendance at a ceremony to open New York Medical Center in Hanover.
Raymond Manning, Chief Executive Officer at New York Medical Center, smiles as he holds the giant scissors following the cutting of a ribbon to celebrate New York Medical Center opening its doors.
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HANOVER -- A major step forward was taken on Thursday afternoon for healthcare across northern Chautauqua County and the Cattaraugus Reservation. After more than a year of planning, jumping through hoops, and renovating a vacant hospital, the doors finally opened at New York Medical Center in Hanover.
Raymond Manning, Chief Executive Officer at New York Medical Center, called Thursday's celebration "a tipping point" for the project after all of the hurdles that stood in the way of opening what is being described as "a more personal approach to specialized recovery."
Manning said it felt "surreal" when the day finally came to open the doors and let the community in to witness all of the work his team has put into transforming the former Lakeshore Hospital site into New York Medical Center. The halls were filled with dignitaries and special guests, including State Senator George Borrello and Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, who each spoke to a crowd of several dozen guests at the event.
"Mental health and behavioral health (care) in Chautauqua County is needed, without a doubt," Wendel said to the crowd. "... This is no small feat. What you're seeing today is a Herculean effort by everyone here."
Before presenting Manning with a proclamation from the New York State Senate, Borrello added, "Here we are today, making sure that people can get the vital services they need, right here in their hometown."
Located along Routes 5 and 20 in the town of Hanover, New York Medical Center (NYMC) is a specialized behavioral health and addiction recovery facility. Beginning Monday, NYMC will provide treatment for substance use disorder; outpatient counseling and programs; aftercare and family support; integrated care with community partners; and holistic therapy.
"Starting Monday, we'll be able to help that first patient," Manning said. "We'll give back to this community again."
The facility will begin operating with 20 beds, along with an additional five specialized detox beds. As the facility continues its transformation, more services will be incorporated over the next two years, including adult psychiatric care; geriatric, adolescent, and pediatric psychiatric services; and tele-health services.
The facility will be fully operational with a total of 162 beds by the end of 2028. By that time, there will be 25 beds designated for woman and child residential care for new mothers; 12 pediatric behavioral health beds; 20 adolescent behavioral health beds; 40 adult behavioral health beds; and 40 geriatric behavioral health beds.
In a perfect world, the need for mental health services and addiction recovery facilities would not exist. Sadly, it is clear and obvious that is not the world we live in. The needs are there – arguably now more than ever before – and finally, after six years, the Hanover community – and the region as a whole – can now receive the care that has been lacking for far too long. Manning alluded to the potential for a partnership that would bring other medical services to the site, as well.
"Obviously, there is a big need for medical services and behavioral health services," Manning said. "We have a lot of space on this campus, so not only will we have behavioral health and substance use, but we hope to partner with other healthcare organizations to help bring some medical specialties ... so that we can get those back for this community too."
Manning acknowledged that dealing with New York State's governance of the medical system made opening the doors a challenge, but rightfully so. "There's a good reason for it," Manning said. "I understand, everything just takes a little bit more time than what we had hoped."
Manning felt the support of the County, the Town Board, and residents of the community throughout the past year and a half since taking ownership of the site. He thanked the community for its support throughout the process, as well as on Thursday at the ribbon cutting celebration.
"I know there was probably a lot of doubt that it was ever going to happen, because it took so long, but now that it is here, the community realizes it," Manning said. "I want them to know that we're here for them."