Governor Whitmer, State and Local Officials Commemorate Completion of New $85 Million Caro Psychiatric Hospital

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June 05, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2023

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Governor Whitmer, State and Local Officials Commemorate Completion of New $85 Million Caro Psychiatric Hospital

State-of-the-art hospital offers modernized treatment facilities and therapy spaces; ‘downtown-themed’ area offers patient hair care salon, exercise room and greenhouse

CARO, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer along with state and local officials gathered for an open house commemorating the completion of the new 100-bed Caro Psychiatric Hospital and the state's continued focus on providing mental health resources for Michiganders.

"Ensuring Michiganders have access to vital physical and mental health resources are key focuses of my administration," said Governor Whitmer. "Michiganders deserve health mental health resources when and where they need them. The new Caro Psychiatric Hospital is an important investment in behavioral health services in Michigan for both our families in need and the Caro community as an employer."

The state-of-the-art, 130,000 square-foot Caro Psychiatric Hospital offers four separate patient neighborhoods/units, each decorated with therapeutic colors reflecting seasonal color schemes for winter, spring, summer and fall. Rooms are mainly single-bed suites with private bathrooms, with some double rooms and others set up to care for geriatric patients. A downtown-themed area offers patients a hair care salon, exercise room, greenhouse and recreation room. Other patient amenities include a gymnasium with audiovisual system for events and outside courtyards for recreational space.

The facility also includes updated HVAC and building management systems, building access controls and video surveillance for enhanced patient safety. Modernized spaces for staff for treatment consultations, staff meetings and breakroom spaces are also featured in the new hospital.

"The new Caro Psychiatric Hospital will help meet the needs of Michigan families in need of inpatient, behavioral health care from across the state for years to come," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "The hospital's unique downtown area, beautiful outdoor recreation spaces and modernized treatment and therapy spaces will help to positively impact patient outcomes, and patient and family satisfaction."

"The Caro Psychiatric Hospital is an important part of the Caro community, serving as a major employer in the region as well as providing valuable behavioral health services," said Caro Mayor Karen Snider. "We are thrilled that Caro can offer much-needed health care to Michiganders in this new, modern hospital."

The $85 million hospital replaces Caro Center, which was constructed in 1913. Opened in 1914 as the Caro Farm Colony for Epileptics, it served as the only State of Michigan residential treatment center for individuals with seizure disorders until 1997.

"The completion of the Caro Psychiatric Hospital represents a new beginning for everyone involved," said Department of Technology, Management & Budget Director Michelle Lange. "This state-of-the-art facility offers medical staff the necessary tools to provide top-notch treatment to patients and the modern design and landscaping blend into the natural environment making it a point of pride for the Caro community."

The construction manager for the project is Granger Construction, with design services provided by Integrated Design Solutions.

The State of Michigan operates five inpatient hospitals that serve nearly 650 patients. Caro Psychiatric Hospital, Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital and Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital serve adult patients, while children and adolescents are treated at Hawthorn Center. The Center for Forensic Psychiatry provides diagnostic services to the criminal justice system and psychiatric treatment for criminal defendants adjudicated incompetent to stand trial or acquitted by not guilty by reason of insanity.

Michigan's state hospitals are accredited by The Joint Commission and are committed to providing evidence-supported, person-centered inpatient care to individuals in an environment that values compassion, collaboration and community reintegration.

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Executive Office of the Governor

Communications Division

[email protected]

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