ARMC Behavioral Service shows off facelift
Ashley TefferAlpena Regional Medical Center's Behavioral Health Service hosted an open house to show off its $189,000 facelift on Tuesday.
The renovations include 15 bedrooms, two seclusion rooms, play therapy room, offices, courtroom, patio, recreational therapy room and new windows. In addition to the aesthetic and functional renovations, the facility has gone non-smoking.
"We redid all the flooring and wall covering," said Mary Ouellette, community education manager. "In addition we replaced and added windows and changed the shape of the rooms. We created a much more therapeutic setting for inpatient as well as outpatients."
Ouellette believes the facility is more conducive for sharing and overall has a more friendly atmosphere. She also reported that now all of the outpatient offices have windows with a view of the courtyard.
Mark Anderson, director of behavioral services, believes the courtroom and play therapy room are great additions.
"The play therapy room is one of the things I'm very proud of," Anderson said. "We cover such a large regional area and I don't think many facilities have this kind of area for therapy."
Outpatient Therapist Laurie Stricker said the play therapy room helps children learn through play so they can express themselves, which is very important for their development.
Considering the courtroom was located in a small patient room before the renovation, Alpena County Probate Court Judge Tom LaCross is very pleased with the new facility.
"I like the courtroom; the size is wonderful," LaCross said. "It is accessible and respects the families and the patients."
According to LaCross the courtroom includes a recorder for testimony and will serve as a regular courtroom.
The renovations also include new surveillance cameras and reinforced doors for the seclusion rooms.
"We have added reinforced doors and five cameras," said John Eagan, a social worker. "The facility is for adults 18 years of age and older with primary mental illnesses such as depression, generally people are hospitalized in this facility because they can no longer function in society."
Ashley Teffer can be reached via e-mail at ateffer@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689.
