NC DHHS: Employee Newsletter

Central Regional Psychiatric Hospital construction under way in Butner

A wise man once noted that with a big enough lever you could move a mountain. It wasn’t a lever but a shovel that “moved the mountain” on Thursday, April 21, when ground was finally broken for new Central Region Psychiatric Hospital in Butner.

With a crowd of more than 200 looking on, Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom, members of the General Assembly, local dignitaries and others used traditional golden shovels to break ground at the site of the first new state-operated psychiatric hospital facility to be built by the state since the construction of the Royster Building at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro in 1962.

Hooker Odom noted there were many groups and individuals to thank for the part they played in getting the hospital planned, approved and funded. She thanked Gov. Mike Easley for his help and support and also recognized the contributions of State Treasurer Richard Moore. But Hooker Odom specifically thanked the members of the General Assembly, particularly past members and current members of the Granville delegation, for helping secure the funding and site for the new hospital.

“As I look at the trees and dirt, it is hard to imagine that in a little more than two years we will be standing outside of a new 488,500-square-foot hospital that will house 432 beds, that will employ more than 1,100 people, and will serve mental health needs of more than three million people in the central region of the state,” Hooker Odom said. “It is a dream that was long in coming and which many thought would never happen, but it has.”

Hooker Odom was joined at the podium by state Reps. Verla Insko and Jim Crawford, and state Sen. Doug Berger, all of whom spoke of the impact of the new hospital for the people of the region, as well as its economic impact on the Butner community and Granville County. MH/DD/SAS Division Director Mike Moseley acted as master of ceremonies for the event.

“North Carolina has been engaged in a comprehensive effort to transform its system of services for persons with mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse disorders,” Moseley said. “However, we also recognize the state’s responsibility to provide for the safety net when the periodic and short-term circumstances of consumers are such that their needs can not be adequately addressed at the community level. This new hospital is clear evidence of our commitment as we continue on our journey to improve services and supports to the citizens with disabilities and their families of this great state.”

The construction of the new Central Region Psychiatric Hospital marks a new chapter in the delivery of mental health services in North Carolina, Hooker Odom said. When completed and opened in the summer of 2007, it will be the nation’s foremost state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital. The new hospital will replace John Umstead Hospital in Butner and Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh. Both hospitals are scheduled to be phased out and closed.

At the conclusion of the remarks, Hooker Odom invited her fellow podium members – as well as former Reps. Gordon Allan and Stan Fox; former Sen. Web Gulley; Granville County commissioners Ronald R. Alligood, Hubert L. Gooch and James W. Lumpkins; Tim Winstead of The Freelon Group, Architects; Ray N. Rouse, III, chairman of R.N. Rouse & Co., whose company was awarded the contract to construct the hospital; Mike Hennike, chief of State Operated Services for the MHDDSAS Division, and DHHS Office of Property and Construction Director Terry Hatcher – to join her in the ceremonial breaking of ground at the site.

Look to later editions of the newsletter for updates and pictures on the status of the new hospital construction.

Last Modified: February 4, 2013

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	The May 2005 newsletter, print version Use this version to print and distribute the newsletter. It is in Adobe Acrobat. If you don't have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, download it for free. Past Issues
	The May 2005 issue, online version.
	A dream realized: Hospital construction under way in Butner: With a crowd of more than 200 looking on, Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom, members of the General Assembly, local dignitaries and others used traditional golden shovels to break ground at the site of the first new state-operated psychiatric hospital facility to be built by the state since the construction of the Royster Building at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro in 1962.	Wake County inpatient psychiatric unit authorized: A 60-bed, county-operated inpatient psychiatric treatment unit is closer to reality under a special agreement between Wake County and DHHS. Harrington to lead Vocational Rehabilitation Services Latinos Day brings issues into focus: Hispanic issues came to the forefront at the North Carolina legislature in early April, as a couple of hundred supporters showed up for the second Latino Day at the Legislature.
	Newborn death highlights need for better understanding of law
	DHHS honoree to be featured in advertising campaign Tomczak named DIRM director Belinda Pettiford receives national leadership award Sunny warm days bring out people -- and ticks: Public health officials urge caution. Kids to get more physical activity in grades K-8	Survey finds smoking down, obesity up in N.C. Donkey Basketball Tourney aids relief effort Adoption Profile: This young woman with the bubbly personality hopes to go to college to become a brain surgeon. Chi-rese is inquisitive, talkative, friendly and spending time with her is fun..


	A Dream Realized: Central Regional Psychiatric Hospital construction under way in Butner A wise man once noted that with a big enough lever you could move a mountain. It wasn’t a lever but a shovel that “moved the mountain” on Thursday, April 21, when ground was finally broken for new Central Region Psychiatric Hospital in Butner. view more photos With a crowd of more than 200 looking on, Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom, members of the General Assembly, local dignitaries and others used traditional golden shovels to break ground at the site of the first new state-operated psychiatric hospital facility to be built by the state since the construction of the Royster Building at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro in 1962. Hooker Odom noted there were many groups and individuals to thank for the part they played in getting the hospital planned, approved and funded. She thanked Gov. Mike Easley for his help and support and also recognized the contributions of State Treasurer Richard Moore. But Hooker Odom specifically thanked the members of the General Assembly, particularly past members and current members of the Granville delegation, for helping secure the funding and site for the new hospital. “As I look at the trees and dirt, it is hard to imagine that in a little more than two years we will be standing outside of a new 488,500-square-foot hospital that will house 432 beds, that will employ more than 1,100 people, and will serve mental health needs of more than three million people in the central region of the state,” Hooker Odom said. “It is a dream that was long in coming and which many thought would never happen, but it has.” Hooker Odom was joined at the podium by state Reps. Verla Insko and Jim Crawford, and state Sen. Doug Berger, all of whom spoke of the impact of the new hospital for the people of the region, as well as its economic impact on the Butner community and Granville County. MH/DD/SAS Division Director Mike Moseley acted as master of ceremonies for the event. “North Carolina has been engaged in a comprehensive effort to transform its system of services for persons with mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse disorders,” Moseley said. “However, we also recognize the state’s responsibility to provide for the safety net when the periodic and short-term circumstances of consumers are such that their needs can not be adequately addressed at the community level. This new hospital is clear evidence of our commitment as we continue on our journey to improve services and supports to the citizens with disabilities and their families of this great state.” The construction of the new Central Region Psychiatric Hospital marks a new chapter in the delivery of mental health services in North Carolina, Hooker Odom said. When completed and opened in the summer of 2007, it will be the nation’s foremost state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital. The new hospital will replace John Umstead Hospital in Butner and Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh. Both hospitals are scheduled to be phased out and closed. At the conclusion of the remarks, Hooker Odom invited her fellow podium members – as well as former Reps. Gordon Allan and Stan Fox; former Sen. Web Gulley; Granville County commissioners Ronald R. Alligood, Hubert L. Gooch and James W. Lumpkins; Tim Winstead of The Freelon Group, Architects; Ray N. Rouse, III, chairman of R.N. Rouse & Co., whose company was awarded the contract to construct the hospital; Mike Hennike, chief of State Operated Services for the MHDDSAS Division, and DHHS Office of Property and Construction Director Terry Hatcher – to join her in the ceremonial breaking of ground at the site. Look to later editions of the newsletter for updates and pictures on the status of the new hospital construction. [view more photos]

	Last Modified: February 4, 2013

The May 2005 newsletter, print version

Past Issues

The May 2005 issue, online version.

A Dream Realized:

Central Regional Psychiatric Hospital construction under way in Butner