Del Norte and Sutter Coast Staff turning the soil Courtesy photo This past Monday, the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Sutter Coast Hospital (SCH) Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing (EmPATH) Unit is now underway. The Unit will serve the Behavioral and Psychiatric needs for children and adults experiencing acute psychiatric crises. EmPath is expected to be complete within 10 months.The Unit will encompass 3,000 sq. ft.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');The design features a calming environment with the aim to stabilize patients in a more appropriate setting. The unit follows a nationally recognized care model known to reduce wait times and improve outcomes.Funding for the project was $4 million which comes from Proposition 1. SCH also received an additional $2 million grant from the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission for the local EmPATH unit was one of just six hospitals to receive the funding, and the only rural facility to do so.“Sutter Health is addressing the Healthcare needs of rural communities head-on by making targeted investments that expand access to close critical care gaps for patients,” said Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sutter Health. Michael Lane, CEO Sutter Coast Hospital Courtesy photo Sutter Coast CEO Michael Lane shared, “Our new EmPATH unit is an essential step forward in how we care for those with acute behavioral health needs.”Joining in, with shovels in hand were: 2nd District Supervisor Valerie Starkey; Ranell Brown, director, Del Norte County Dept. of Health and Human Services; Michael Lane, CEO Sutter Coast Hospital; Clarke Moore, board chair, Sutter Coast Hospital; Robert Duncan, M.D., chief of staff, Sutter Coast Hospital; Ellie Popadic, Senior Director of Operations, Sutter Coast Hospital; Warner Thomas, president and CEO, Sutter Health and Rachael McKinney, president, Greater Sacramento Division, Sutter Health. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });