September 4, 2024

Advocate Health Unveils State-of-the-Art Behavioral Health Unit at Advocate South Suburban Hospital

HAZEL CREST, IL – Advocate Health is proud to announce the completion and opening of the new Behavioral Health Unit at Advocate South Suburban Hospital. Spanning 22,045 square feet, this state-of-the-art facility is a significant upgrade, relocating the Behavioral Health program from Advocate Christ Medical Center to a renovated third floor at Advocate South Suburban Hospital.

The unit includes 27 private patient rooms, recreational spaces, and a fitness center designed to meet the rigorous demands of mental health care. The renovation emphasizes patient safety, utilizing the latest materials, fixtures, and hardware suitable for a behavioral health setting.

The new unit will provide inpatient services to approximately 800 patients annually, with the capacity to support an additional 5,000 patients each year through partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient services. The project addresses a critical need identified in a recent community needs assessment for the South Chicagoland region by Advocate Health, highlighting the importance of accessible mental health and substance abuse services, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The design of the Behavioral Health Unit also contributes significantly to staff safety and well-being. Features such as controlled access points, secure observation systems, and ergonomic workspaces help create a secure and efficient working environment. These measures not only protect staff from potential hazards but also enhance their ability to provide high-quality care. By fostering a safe and supportive work environment, the unit aims to improve employee retention and job satisfaction, ensuring that Advocate Health can continue to attract and maintain a dedicated, skilled workforce.

In addition to the new facility, Advocate Health is expanding an integrated behavioral health services pilot program in the south suburbs. This initiative embeds social workers in primary care clinics to connect patients with mental health services earlier and more efficiently. The program includes telehealth evaluations and therapy, as well as regular consultations with virtual psychiatrists to ensure comprehensive care.

M&CA provided all planning, architecture, and interior design services for both the Behavioral Health Unit and the PHP/IOP Clinic.

Advocate Health is the 3rd largest not-for-profit, integrated health system in the United States and a leading employer in the Midwest and South with more than 155,000 employees, including more than 42,000 nurses and 21,000 doctors. A national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience, and value-based care, the system serves nearly six million patients annually in Illinois, Wisconsin, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina across more than 1,000 sites of care. Advocate Health is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies and is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, and pediatrics.

Matthei & Colin Associates, LLC (M&CA) celebrates 50 years of professional service in 2024 and specializes in the planning and design of health care environments. Through the passion of our creative effort, we have emerged today as one of the nation’s few firms exclusively dedicated to health care architecture. We are committed to collaborating with our clients by understanding the challenges and recognizing the opportunities. Our singular focus on designing and creating health care environments and our productive client partnerships result in highly individualized planning recommendations to address the unique requirements of each project. Through a proven process of listening, asking, and creating, we translate dialogue into design.

For more information contact:
Mark Selko, AIA, Principal
Matthei & Colin Associates, LLC
marks@mca-architecture.com