Cincinnati Children’s Cuts Ribbon for New College Hill Mental Health Facility

Monday, August 28, 2023

Cincinnati Children’s, the number one ranked pediatric health system in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, cut the ribbon on its newest location Friday, August 25, 2023.

Cincinnati Children’s is the largest inpatient pediatric mental health provider in the country. The new William K. Schubert, M.D. Mental Health Center, which measures 160,000 square feet, is 68% larger than the building it is replacing and will feature 83 private rooms, improving personalized care for all patients. It was made possible by a leading $30M donation from the Convalescent Hospital Fund for Children. They provided an additional $6M donation to be used for programmatic needs.

“Pediatric mental illness is one of the most pressing health issues of our time,” said Steve Davis, MD, president & CEO of Cincinnati Children’s. “These children deserve our best ideas, our most courageous strategies, our long-term commitment, and our utmost compassion. With the opening of this facility, we have another tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our patients, families and staff in terms of improved access and the quality of care we deliver.”

From the moment patients and families walk through the front door, they will feel welcomed by the warmth of the lobby that sits underneath a skylight. This design element is one of several ideas incorporated by the planning team using feedback provided by patients, family and staff.

Other design elements include:

• Intake space providing a safe, private environment for initial patient assessments
• Family Resource Center providing families support space where they can find and review mental health information and resources, make calls, use a computer, or take a break throughout the visit
• Private patient rooms making sure families are able to stay overnight and increase their involvement in the family training, treatment planning and therapy
• A cafeteria to offer expanded food options for both patients and guests
• An enhanced educational center offering programs such as Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and others will take place here
• Therapeutic treatment spaces designed around the concept of moving patients throughout the building—much like they would experience in school—providing them with different views throughout the day

“This building is a giant step forward in what we are able to do for children and families. It will house an expanding group of programs that will provide the most advanced evidence-based care for children and adolescents,” said Michael Sorter, MD, director of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s. “These programs will reach far beyond the walls of the hospital and throughout our community to improve outcomes for children and families.”

The total cost of the project was $108M.