NNRH Dedicates Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit

Photo Caption: Leaders from Lifepoint Health and team members from Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital celebrate the dedication of the hospital’s new behavioral health unit. Pictured from left in the front row (kneeling): Aimee Fitch, Licensed Clinical Social Worker with NNRH; Heather Jones, Registered Nurse with NNRH; Lidia Barcenas, Certified Nursing Assistant with NNRH; Floramel Hendrickson, Certified Nursing Assistant with NNRH. Pictured from left in the middle row (standing): Steve Simpson, NNRH Chief Executive Officer; Becky Jones, NNRH Chief Nursing Officer; Anthoney Hemmert, Licensed Clinical Social Worker with NNRH; Jennifer Alderfer, Western Division President with Lifepoint Health; Laina Caughron, Charge RN with NNRH; Corinna Heieie, Charge RN with NNRH; Rita Bargetto Snider, Regional Vice President of Operations with Lifepoint Behavioral Health; Celeste Oglesby, Vice President and Managing Counsel with Lifepoint Health; Scott Richardson, Vice President, Compliance with Lifepoint Health; Delmo Andreozzi, Elko County Commissioner and Chairman of the NNRH Board of Trustees. Pictured from left in the back row: Amanda Grimaud, Certified Nursing Assistant with NNRH; Jessica Van Valkenburg, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with NNRH; Christian Anderson, Certified Professional Counselor with NNRH; Russell Bailey, President,  Lifepoint Rehabilitation and Lifepoint Behavioral Health; and Jason Zachariah, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer with Lifepoint Health.

Inpatient behavioral healthcare coming soon to Elko County

ELKO, Nevada – Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital (NNRH) held a dedication ceremony Tuesday, November 19, 2024, for the new inpatient behavioral health unit (BHU) located on the hospital’s third floor. In attendance were NNRH staff, elected officials, law enforcement officers, healthcare providers and senior leaders from Lifepoint Health, NNRH’s parent organization, and Lifepoint Behavioral Health, a business unit of Lifepoint Health.

“This project has been in the works for many years, and this event is an opportunity for us to dedicate the unit, show our gratitude to the many individuals and groups that have supported this project and introduce our behavioral health team who look forward to serving the people of northeastern Nevada,” explained Steve Simpson, the hospital’s chief executive officer. “It’s an opportunity for us all to celebrate and further strengthen our commitment to our mission of making communities healthier.”

Simpson stated that supply chain issues have delayed completion of renovations on the hospital’s third floor, but he expressed confidence that the unit will be ready to receive its first patients in early January.

Once open, the 7,440 square-foot unit will house 16 patient beds, two group therapy rooms, two consultation rooms and an area for patients to receive visitors. Simpson touted the “state-of-the-art” environment ensuring patient safety and comfort.

“Our goal is to provide high-quality behavioral healthcare right here in Elko so that patients experiencing acute mental illness can receive the help they need without having to be transported hundreds of miles away,” said Simpson. “It’s the right thing to do for our patients and for our community.”

Jason Zachariah, executive vice president & chief operating officer of Lifepoint Health, spoke at the dedication ceremony about the importance of behavioral healthcare.

“Here in Nevada and across the nation, the mental health crisis is growing, and the need for behavioral health providers and services has only intensified since the pandemic,” said Zachariah. “Today, Lifepoint Health is one of the leading providers of behavioral health services nationwide, and for me, it truly comes full circle and is most meaningful when we can leverage this specialty expertise and invest these resources and tools in our community hospitals like NNRH.”

NNRH has been part of Lifepoint Health since 2005.

Simpson and Zachariah both thanked Mayor Reece Keener and the City of Elko for their support of the project. The city has pledged $500,000 of grant funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help build the BHU. Along with Lifepoint’s capital investment, that brings the total cost of the new unit to nearly $2.3 million.

“We are deeply committed to being a great partner and continuing to invest in the health of this community,” Zachariah stated. “The city and county continue to be important partners of NNRH and Lifepoint, and we appreciate the many ways we are able to work together to advance our mission here in Elko.”

Elko County Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi also spoke at the ceremony and described how crucial inpatient services are to meeting mental health needs.

“Mental wellness is like a giant jigsaw puzzle. There are lots of pieces scattered throughout our community. This inpatient unit is a huge piece of that puzzle, and it’s finally falling into place,” said Andreozzi. “We are truly grateful to Lifepoint for their investment in Elko County and for making this a reality.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, certificates of recognition were presented from state and federal officials. Governor Joe Lombardo, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Senator Jacky Rosen, and Congressman Mark Amodei provided the following statements:

Governor Joe Lombardo: “The opening of the Behavioral Health Unit at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital is a vital step toward expanding access to mental health care for rural Nevadans. This facility will provide essential care to individuals in Elko and surrounding areas, addressing a longstanding need in our state. I applaud the hospital for its commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of our rural communities.”

US Senator Catherine Cortez Masto: “The Behavioral Health Unit at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital will provide much-needed behavioral health services to the residents of Elko and the surrounding areas. With this new behavioral health unit, patients will no longer need to travel hundreds of miles to receive life-saving care. I look forward to continuing to work with our local hospitals to ensure all Nevadans have access to the healthcare they need.”

US Senator Jacky Rosen: “I’m thrilled to see the opening of a new Behavioral Health Unit at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital in Elko. Nevadans in all corners of our state deserve to have access to quality healthcare, including mental health services. This new unit is going to be critical for improving access and supporting Nevadans in need of mental health resources.”

Representative Mark Amodei (NV-02): “The opening of the Behavioral Health Unit at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital is a strong testament of their commitment to providing high-quality care for individuals across Elko and Nevada. For far too long, rural residents have lacked access to the critical treatments and compassionate care they deserve. I had the privilege of touring this state-of-the-art facility and am confident in the hospital’s ability to meet the growing needs of patients in our communities who require specialized care.”

About Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital

Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital is the only acute-care hospital in a 125-mile radius. Serving the residents of five counties, NNRH provides a wide range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency services. The hospital features 75 all-private acute care rooms and an adjacent medical office building. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission, the hospital is also recognized by the American College of Cardiology as an accredited chest pain center. With over 100 affiliated medical providers and over 300 nurses and support staff, NNRH provides high-quality care to the residents of northeastern Nevada and beyond.

 About Lifepoint Behavioral Health

Lifepoint Behavioral Health specializes in providing compassionate care across the behavioral healthcare continuum. Through its 24 behavioral health hospitals and contract management and joint venture partnerships with hospitals and providers across the country, Lifepoint Behavioral Health offers programs designed to address the unique needs of various patient populations, including adolescents, adults and geriatrics. Lifepoint Behavioral Health has diversified programming, allowing specific therapy models of treatment while encompassing the whole person. These treatment models provide evidence-based therapies with distinct short- and long-term goals of improving and sustaining mental health. Lifepoint Behavioral Health is a business unit of Brentwood, Tennessee-based Lifepoint Health.