PUNTA GORDA, FL (June 14, 2013) – Riverside Behavioral Center at Charlotte Regional Medical Center kicked-off its “30th Year of Serving” the southwest Florida Community with a staff celebration. Special activities, recognition, and receptions are planned over the next 12 months for the 52-bed psychiatric hospital, culminating with an Open House on the same month and day of the inaugural open house - June 17, 2014.
“Planning began with an old, yellowed newspaper article recently displayed in the hallway during our annual Hospital Week celebration,” Cynthia DeLouis, director of Riverside Behavior Center. “The article detailed the opening of the Center and it suddenly dawned on us that we were entering our thirtieth year, almost to the day of the article. It made an impression to realize we have been helping those in need of inpatient behavioral health treatment for quite a long time.”
The changes during the years are evidenced even by the original name of the facility. The “Stress Unit,” as it was called, was touted as providing inpatient treatment for persons who were “having difficulty coping with stress and problems in life.” Misunderstanding of serious mental illnesses and associated stigmas has slowly been chipped away, but much more can be done.
“We are proud to have served our community with consistent, high-quality behavioral health care for the past thirty years,” said Jose Morillo, CEO of Riverside Behavioral Center at Charlotte Regional Medical Center, “and look forward to continuing to care for the behavioral health needs of our community for years to come.”
In honor of its “30th Year of Serving,” Riverside Behavioral Center will hold a panel discussion “Behavioral Health and Our Community Today.” The discussion will take place on Wednesday, August 14th from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. in Charlotte Regional Medical Center’s Medical Office Building 4th floor conference room located at 713 E. Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda.
Refreshments will be served. To register for the discussion, contact Teri Ashley at 637-2550 or teri.ashley@hma.com.
