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The Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation & Substance Abuse Services

DMHMRSAS Press Releases

For Immediate Release:  May 28, 2008
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Eastern State Hospital to Hold Official Opening of New Geriatric Treatment Center


Richmond, VA – On Friday, May 30, at 10 a.m., Eastern State Hospital (ESH) will hold a building dedication ceremony for the new Hancock Geriatric Treatment Center. Media are invited to attend:


Friday, May 30, 2008; 10 a.m.
Eastern State Hospital at 4601 Ironbound Road
Hancock Geriatric Treatment Center Main Entrance
Williamsburg ,VA 23188

As part of ESH repair and renovation, 150 geriatric patients were transferred into the new Hancock Center in April. All furniture, fixtures and equipment were included in the cost of the $28 million, 150-bed center. The center was developed by Gilbane Development Corporation and ESH’s staff helped design the center’s layout based on the needs of their patients.

“The first priority in building this new center was to create a facility that best serves the individuals with mental illness who receive treatment here,” said James Reinhard, M.D., commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. “It took a tremendous team effort to build this state-of-the-art center that will restore and improve quality of life for the individuals we serve well into the future.” 

Speakers at the event will include DMHMRSAS Commissioner James Reinhard, M.D., ESH Hospital Director John Favret and Gilbane Development Corporation President and CEO Robert Gilbane. Following the program, media will have the opportunity to tour the public areas of the new facility.

The new Hancock Center marks the completion of the first phase to renovate the majority of Eastern State Hospital. Scheduled for completion in 2010, phase two includes the renovation of the adult mental health treatment center and consolidating several treatment programs into one building.  

ESH is one of seven state-run psychiatric hospitals operated by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS). First admitting patients in 1773, ESH is the first public facility in the United State built solely for the care and treatment of individuals with mental illness. 

For more information about ESH, please visit here. For more information about all DMHMRSAS facilities, please visit here. Media planning to attend the event should contact Meghan McGuire at (804) 786-9048.   

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Available to citizens statewide, Virginia’s public mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services system is comprised of 40 community services boards (CSBs) and 16 state facilities. DMHMRSAS seeks to promote dignity, choice, recovery, and the highest possible level of participation in work, relationships, and all aspects of community life for individuals with mental health, mental retardation or substance abuse disorders.

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