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www.wbjournal.com Book of Lists 2016 • Worcester Business Journal 29 S P O N S O R E D B Y Urgent care clinics ...................................................................30 Health insurers ........................................................................32 Physician groups .....................................................................34 Hospitals .................................................................................36 HEALTH CARE T o address the critical need for behavioral health and substance abuse services in the North Central and North Quabbin regions, Heywood Healthcare is in the process of convert- ing the 87- acre property, formerly occupied by the Sisters of Assumption, in Petersham, MA, into a comprehensive center for treating patients with mental health and addiction issues. This innovative solution will transform the property into an 86 - bed facility that will provide outpatient, residential and inpatient services for adults and adolescents struggling with behavioral health and substance abuse problems. Behavioral health and substance abuse are the most pervasive health issues facing communities in Massachusetts, and especially the North Central and North Quabbin communities. Our region of Massachusetts has the highest rates of adult male suicide in New England, an adolescent suicide rate that is five times the state average, and rapidly increasing substance abuse rates and death due to opiate use. Despite these statistics and the great number of patients who need care, Heywood Hospital remains the only provider of inpatient services in North Central Massachusetts. The Quabbin Retreat will address fragmented care issues by coordinating care across mental health services and increasing relevant programs for all that work together for optimum treatment. Heywood Healthcare has received overwhelm- ing support from Petersham and the surrounding towns, as residents also understand that revital- izing the property will provide new local employ- ment opportunities including well-paying jobs for healthcare professionals, construction and reno- vation workers, and administrative and service personnel. This project will be completed in three phases. Phase I will establish a residential adult substance abuse program (up to 35 beds), create a second partial hospital/intensive outpatient program and provide routine outpatient services, which may include psychiatry and related clinical services for mental health and substance abuse. Phase 2 of the project consists of creating a resi- dential adolescent substance abuse program (approximately 20 beds). Finally, in Phase 3, Heywood Healthcare will build an inpatient detox- ification unit (10 beds) to provide intensive medi- cal support for patients prior to transitioning to a residential program. Quabbin Retreat will also offer a wide array of services to augment treatment and support recov- ery including group-based supportive therapies, life skills training, family education and support and vocational assistance. For more information about the project, please visit www.heywood.org/quabbinretreat. n The Quabbin Retreat - Opening late 2016 Winfield S. Brown, President & CEO