ECU Health and Acadia Healthcare Celebrate Ribbon-Cutting of New Behavioral Health Hospital in Greenville
ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, marking a transformative moment for eastern North Carolina. The event celebrated the upcoming opening of a state-of-the-art, 144-bed hospital dedicated to behavioral health. This new facility represents one of the most significant investments in mental health infrastructure in the region’s history, expanding access to much-needed, high-quality, and compassionate care.
The hospital, located at 2820 MacGregor Downs Road in Greenville, is strategically positioned less than a mile from ECU Health Medical Center. Its proximity ensures patients can benefit from seamless connections between behavioral health services and the full spectrum of ECU Health’s medical care. The hospital is scheduled to welcome its first patients in September 2025 and will gradually expand capacity in the months that follow.
A Regional Milestone in Behavioral Health Care
The opening of the new behavioral health hospital comes at a time when the demand for mental health services has reached unprecedented levels across the nation. Eastern North Carolina, in particular, has faced persistent challenges in providing sufficient mental health care due to a shortage of facilities, providers, and resources. The new hospital aims to directly address these barriers by offering a comprehensive range of inpatient and intensive outpatient programs designed for individuals across the lifespan.
Patients—including children, adolescents, adults, and seniors—will have access to specialized treatment for acute conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and co-occurring substance use disorders. By covering such a wide spectrum of needs, the hospital is poised to become a cornerstone of behavioral health care in the region, providing a place where families can seek treatment close to home rather than having to travel long distances for care.
“This ribbon-cutting symbolizes much more than the opening of a hospital – it’s a continuation of ECU Health’s commitment to meeting the most pressing needs of our communities,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, Chief Executive Officer of ECU Health and Dean of the Brody School of Medicine. “By partnering with Acadia Healthcare and offering specialized, patient-centered behavioral health care that will also serve as a training ground for future clinicians, this hospital will support patients throughout eastern North Carolina and directly advances our mission to improve the health and well-being of the region.”
A Collaborative Partnership
The new facility is the result of a joint venture between ECU Health and Acadia Healthcare, a national leader in behavioral health care services. This partnership reflects a shared vision to expand access to care and build a strong, sustainable infrastructure for addressing mental health needs across eastern North Carolina.
“This partnership between Acadia Healthcare and ECU Health is built on shared values and a shared vision: to expand access to world-class behavioral health services close to home,” said Chris Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Acadia Healthcare. “We are proud to stand beside ECU Health in this important work and look forward to the positive impact this hospital will have on the lives of patients and families in this region.”
Hunter emphasized that Acadia Healthcare brings to the table decades of experience in operating behavioral health facilities across the United States. By combining that expertise with ECU Health’s deep roots in eastern North Carolina and its mission-driven approach to community health, the hospital represents a model of innovation and collaboration.
Training the Next Generation of Providers
Beyond direct patient care, the hospital has been designed to serve as an academic hub for the training of future behavioral health professionals. Through partnerships with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, the hospital will host medical students, residents, and other health professional trainees who will gain firsthand experience in behavioral health care delivery.
This educational component is especially critical given the current workforce shortages in mental health care. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects significant gaps in the supply of psychiatrists and other behavioral health professionals in the coming years. By embedding education and training within the hospital, ECU Health aims to build a stronger pipeline of qualified clinicians who can serve the region for decades to come.
“Our goal is to provide comprehensive care that reflects the needs of each community we serve,” said Tyler Davis, Chief Executive Officer of ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital. “This new hospital is a vital step forward in that mission. By bringing care, education, and innovation together under one roof, we are creating a model that other regions can look to for inspiration.”
A Facility Designed with Patients in Mind
The physical environment of the hospital has also been carefully planned to support healing and recovery. Thomas Construction Group led the construction of the facility, with architectural design provided by Stengel Hill Architecture, a firm known for its expertise in designing behavioral health environments.
The design emphasizes safety, comfort, and dignity for patients. Natural light, open spaces, and calming design elements are integrated throughout the building, helping to create a therapeutic atmosphere. Separate units for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors ensure age-appropriate care tailored to the unique developmental needs of each group. In addition to inpatient care, the hospital will feature intensive outpatient programs that allow patients to receive structured treatment while maintaining connections with family, school, or work.
The 144-bed facility is also expected to bring economic benefits to the region by creating new jobs for healthcare providers, nurses, support staff, and administrators. This infusion of employment opportunities further strengthens the hospital’s role as an anchor institution in Greenville and surrounding communities.
