Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) and Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS) hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking today to mark the start of construction for a new three-story, 144-bed behavioral health hospital. This joint-venture facility, located on Macada Road in Hanover Township, Pa., is set to open in fall 2025, directly across from the Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Muhlenberg campus.
During the event, the new hospital’s name, Hanover Hill Behavioral Health, was officially unveiled.
“Providing convenient access to high-quality, compassionate behavioral health care has never been more crucial for our community,” said Brian A. Nester, DO, MBA, President and CEO of LVHN. “Hanover Hill Behavioral Health will centralize resources and triple LVHN’s current behavioral health bed capacity in the Lehigh Valley. By combining our longstanding commitment to behavioral health with UHS’s extensive experience, we’ll offer diverse programming and support for patients. This expansion will allow us to reach more individuals suffering from mental and behavioral health issues and provide comfort to their loved ones. This is a significant milestone for our organizations and the community that trusts us.”
“We are thrilled to partner with LVHN on constructing Hanover Hill Behavioral Health, which will feature the latest innovative, evidence-based care elements to ensure maximum patient safety and clinical outcomes,” said Matt Peterson, President of the Behavioral Health Division at UHS. “LVHN is a leading provider of essential services in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding region. Our aligned missions and commitment to expanding access to compassionate care will benefit all populations in the area.”
Edward Norris, MD, MBA, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at LVHN, highlighted the importance of quality behavioral health care for overall well-being. “The pandemic has heightened the demand for mental health resources, and we expect this need to continue growing. LVHN is investing in infrastructure and comprehensive behavioral health care to meet these demands.”
Nester added that LVHN offers inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services, including extensive tele-psychiatry programs. The demand for these services has surged, particularly due to the pandemic, increasing the need for inpatient psychiatric capacity in the region.
Shelah Adams, Associate Vice President of Corporate Development at UHS, emphasized the partnership’s shared mission. “Together with LVHN, we will enhance care for more patients, fulfilling our core goal of growth both nationally and in Pennsylvania.”
Vic Radina, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at UHS, explained the thorough market needs evaluation undertaken to integrate LVHN’s resources with UHS’s expertise, providing a comprehensive behavioral health solution for the region.
UHS, one of the largest and most respected healthcare providers globally, operates over 400 facilities. In Pennsylvania, UHS facilities, including Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital and Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, offer compassionate mental health care delivered by dedicated staff.
LVHN chose UHS as its partner due to its commitment to patient- and family-centered care, strong clinical outcomes, and successful partnerships with community-based entities.
The new Hanover Hill Behavioral Health facility, operated by the joint venture, will create over 300 full-time jobs, including positions for nurses, clinicians, therapists, technicians, and administrative staff.
