ABILENE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL EXPANSION PLANS

By Chris Kearney

Not since our opening in 2002, has a year been so highly anticipated for the advancement of psychiatric care in Abilene.  Why?  Because Abilene Psychiatric Center is poised for tremendous growth. And by tremendous growth, I mean an eruption!    Without overstatement, this year will prove to be a watershed for Abilene Psychiatric Center.   Let me tell you how.

Well, before I get ahead of myself, it’s occurred to me that some of you may not be all that familiar with Abilene Psychiatric Center.  By all means, let me fill you in.  Abilene Psychiatric Center, or APC, is the Big Country’s own not-for-profit psychiatric hospital.  Currently a 28-bed facility, we provide inpatient behavioral health services for adolescents (13 – 17), adults (18 and up), and adults with substance abuse issues.   

Treatment focuses on what we call “crisis stabilization.”  In general, we define “crisis” as the point when someone is unable to manage his/her activities of daily life.  Typically a crisis develops from things like persistent depression, a drinking problem, or behavioral issues at school or at home.  This doesn’t mean someone’s crazy or mentally insane.  It just means they’ve hit a rough spot and need some help.  What we do is get people out of their situation so we can teach them skills to effectively manage.  In general, people stay for 10 days.  Within that time, they participate in a structured therapeutic program, which includes individual and group therapies, in which they learn coping skills necessary to avoid future crises, visit with our staff psychiatrists, typically get placed on an effective medication regimen, and develop a solid aftercare program.  Since our opening, we’ve helped more than 1,200 people get their lives back on track.  It’s a great thing.

That being said, it’s about to get greater!  As I said, 2005 will welcome massive expansion at APC.  Here’s how:

·           We begin with the welcoming back of Dr. Jesse Singh.  Dr. Singh is a long standing Abilene community member.  You may know him as the former Director of the Hendrick Stress Unit.  He’ll now use his skills as an addictionologist and board certified adult psychiatrist to run APC’s Substance Abuse Program.  We’re thrilled to have Dr. Singh join our team.  He begins February 1^st.  His clinic appointments are already filling up fast, so if you’d like to visit with Dr. Singh, call 795-9140 right away.

·        With Dr. Singh comes a reintroduction of our inpatient substance abuse program.  Totally revised.  Completely reengineered.   Incredibly effective.  Combined with Dr. Singh, our substance abuse program will do great things for a great many people.

·        Next we’ll welcome Dr. Vakrim Kashup.  Dr. Kashup is a child and adolescent psychiatrist – a hugely needed commodity in the Big Country.  Besides his expertise, he’s a terrific guy and perfectly suited for his job.  Dr. Kashup will join our already outstanding adolescent treatment program in June. 

·        Following Dr. Kashup will be APC’s physical expansion in July.  We’ll be adding another 20 beds to the facility, for a total of 48.  With the addition will come a dedicated unit for senior/geriatric patients. 

·        The physical expansion will come just in time for Dr. Francisco Vidal’s arrival.  Dr. Vidal is a geriatric psychiatrist – another huge need in our community.  Dr. Vidal is simply fantastic and will direct APC’s geriatric program. 

Three doctors, a 20-bed expansion, and new programs.  Together with our current staff, esteemed clinicians, and effective clinical programs, Abilene Psychiatric Center will stand alone as the preeminent psychiatric treatment hospital in the Big Country and all of West Texas.   No question about it, 2005 is going to be tremendous for both APC and our great community.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, call us anytime day or night at (325) 698-6600.   We’re here for you.