Project supported by $3 million investment from Dutchess County to establish a Behavioral Health Center of Excellence and transform local mental health services
MidHudson Regional Hospital permanently expands inpatient behavioral health capacity to 60 beds, restoring WMCHealth’s pre-pandemic inpatient psychiatric capacity
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (MAY 1, 2026) – MidHudson Regional Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), today announced the opening of a refurbished and expanded inpatient behavioral health unit, increasing inpatient behavioral health capacity to 60 beds and advancing the hospital’s Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. The opening is contingent on finalizing regulatory approvals.
The project was supported by a critical $3 million investment from Dutchess County to strengthen local behavioral health services and meet the growing needs of the community. In 2022, then-Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro allocated the funding to establish the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at MidHudson Regional Hospital. The investment has been critical to expanding services, strengthening partnerships with county resources and local care providers, and enhancing the hospital’s inpatient facilities.
“The need to provide exceptional mental illness and substance use services for patients in the Hudson Valley has never been greater, and this investment is critical to the communities across the Hudson Valley that we serve,” said David Lubarsky, MD, MBA, FASA, President and Chief Executive Officer of WMCHealth. “This new inpatient unit is a transformative investment by the WMCHealth Network in behavioral health services at MidHudson Regional Hospital, and community well-being in Poughkeepsie and the surrounding areas. I want to thank Dutchess County for their support and partnership for this project, which has helped create a safer, more therapeutic environment for both patients and our care teams, and elevated the local standard of care.”
“As we confront a growing mental health crisis, I am heartened to see continued investments in behavioral health by Westchester Medical Center. I applaud the establishment of the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at MidHudson Regional Hospital,” said U.S. Congressman Pat Ryan. “Expanding access to high-quality, compassionate care throughout the Hudson Valley continues to be one of my main priorities. I’m proud to support efforts that strengthen our local healthcare infrastructure and deliver real, lasting impact for the people I serve.”
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “Celebrating the renovations that have led to the opening of the MidHudson Regional Hospital Behavioral Health Center of Excellence is an apt way to kick off May’s Mental Health Awareness Month. With additional inpatient and outpatient capacity at this facility, Westchester Medical Center Health Network is helping to ensure residents of the Hudson Valley can access critical mental health services whenever they are needed. OMH is proud to collaborate with WMCHealth and our local partners to provide essential treatment and recovery supports in Dutchess County and beyond, reflecting Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to community-based care.”
County leaders said the expanded unit will strengthen the continuum of care and keep more residents close to home for treatment.
“This investment in the new Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at MidHudson Regional Hospital is a powerful step forward for the health and well-being of our community, expanding access to essential behavioral health services for individuals and families and ensuring care is both comprehensive and close to home,” said Sue Serino, Dutchess County Executive. “By reducing barriers and strengthening the continuum of support, MidHudson Regional Hospital further reflects our shared commitment to compassionate, community-centered care. I commend WMCHealth for their continued partnership and vision in bringing this important resource to life for the Hudson Valley.”
“Our communities have faced a growing need for inpatient behavioral health services – thank you to MidHudson Regional Hospital and WMCHealth for their continued commitment to meeting the needs of patients and their families in Dutchess County and across the region. This renovation delivers a much-needed expansion of inpatient capacity, while also addressing the ever-evolving needs of behavioral health patients with a facility that provides a therapeutic and healing environment,” said State Senator Rob Rolison.
“I want to recognize the significant efforts of WMCHealth and Dutchess County for their work to expand mental health and substance abuse services for local residents and the entire region. This new behavioral health unit will help transform mental health care for the region and means that more patients will be able to receive the care they need, when they need it. This initiative demonstrates what can be accomplished through strategic public-private partnerships and creates a roadmap for other communities for how you can address a true community health need and expand available care and resources to benefit patients,” said Assemblyman Anil Beephan Jr.
“As the need for mental health care surges in our communities, we’re seeing those services reduced, especially in underserved rural areas. I applaud WMCHealth and Dutchess County for prioritizing this project to expand mental health care with more inpatient beds and services, so that everyone can get the compassionate care they need,” said Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson.
“As a longtime and passionate advocate for expanding mental health and addiction services — and beds — in the Hudson Valley, I am heartened by the opening of the new Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital with 60 psychiatric beds,” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett. “I thank WMCHealth and Dutchess County for their efforts to increase access to much-needed mental health care and for this investment in our community.”
“Now complete, the renovation of this inpatient behavioral health unit is the culmination of close partnerships between WMCHealth, elected officials, and community stakeholders to ensure we provide comprehensive and compassionate care tailored to the needs of our community,” said Yvette Valdés Smith, Chair of the Dutchess County Legislature. “This project demonstrates what can be achieved through strong public-private partnerships and clear alignment between healthcare providers and the communities they serve, and supports our broader investment in expanding behavioral health services.”
Spellman Unit Expansion and Enhancement
The expanded Spellman Unit, the site of the behavioral health services at MidHudson Regional Hospital, marks a significant step forward in improving regional access to world-class, patient-first, behavioral health care. The fully renovated unit permanently expands the hospital’s inpatient behavioral health capacity to 60 beds, up from 40 beds prior to the pandemic, and was designed to provide a therapeutic, calming environment that improves comfort, privacy, and safety. Enhancements include:
- Updated patient rooms and common areas with more natural light to improve the recovery process
- Modernized finishes and materials designed to reduce environmental stressors and support de-escalation
- A new patient comfort room where patients can listen to music, relax and de-stress
- Additional group activity and therapy space
- Upgraded safety and security features consistent with behavioral health best practices
Improving Behavioral Health Services for Dutchess County Residents and the Hudson Valley Region
The completion of the MidHudson Regional Hospital project furthers WMCHealth’s long-term commitment to Dutchess and Ulster counties to preserve inpatient capacity and elevate the standard of care for behavioral health patients. As the largest provider of inpatient behavioral health services in the Hudson Valley, WMCHealth now offers 80 inpatient behavioral health beds across hospitals in Dutchess and Ulster counties, restoring the Network’s pre-pandemic inpatient psychiatric capacity while improving patient access to comprehensive, specialized care.
WMCHealth leaders emphasized that the Center of Excellence approach is designed to expand access across the region and support patients at every stage of recovery.
“Our Behavioral Health Center of Excellence reflects our deep commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-quality behavioral health care across the full continuum—from inpatient and emergency services to outpatient addiction treatment,” said Elissa Chessari, Executive Director of WMCHealth’s Northern Region. “While the need for these services continues to increase, we are expanding access, strengthening support, and ensuring that individuals and families in our community can receive the compassionate care they need to heal, recover, and thrive.”
“When someone is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, timely access to inpatient care in a therapeutic, safe environment can be lifesaving,” said Dr. Stephen J. Ferrando, Chair of Psychiatry at WMCHealth. “The renovated Spellman Unit was designed to support healing and recovery—improving comfort and privacy for patients while also giving our teams the space and tools to deliver evidence-informed care. By expanding capacity at MidHudson Regional Hospital, we can help more Hudson Valley residents get the right level of care close to home and connect them to follow-up services that sustain recovery after discharge.”
The first phase of this multi-year process was completed in December 2024, with the reopening of the inpatient behavioral health unit at HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, which restored 20 inpatient behavioral health beds. With those beds back on-line, the Network was able to advance its plans to expand capacity at MidHudson Regional Hospital as part of its larger public-private initiative with Dutchess County to establish the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence.
The renovated unit and increased inpatient capacity supports the growth of comprehensive behavioral health services, including emergency mental health services, addiction programs, and an outpatient mental health clinic, ensuring that individuals and families in Poughkeepsie and surrounding communities have greater access to compassionate, high-quality care close to home.