Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center Site Chosen As New Empire Upstate Regional Center Of Excellence

Designation Will Retain At Least 80 Jobs And Make Oneida County An RCE Hub

Today, New York State Office of Mental Health released a new Regional Center of Excellence Plan. The OMH is moving to a Regional Center of Excellence Model that will focus on an integrated health network, providing the most advanced diagnostics, treatment and support services available in the most effective way.

The Plan calls for The Greater Binghamton Health Center, Hutchings Psychiatric Center and the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center will be merged to form the Empire Upstate RCE, extending from the Pennsylvania State line to the Canadian border. The Empire Upstate RCE will have two inpatient campuses, one serving adults with a capacity of 185 in Syracuse and a second in Utica with a capacity of 75 beds serving children and adolescents.

Commissioner of Oneida County Mental Health, Linda Nelson said “We advocated that MVPC was ideally positioned to be designated a Regional Center of Excellence and Oneida County looks forward to realigning community based services to serve as a model to neighboring counties”

County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. said “I want to congratulate Linda Nelson and the Oneida County Office of Mental Health for advocating and gaining this designation. This is a long overdue overhaul of the State Office of Mental Health and we are thrilled to be an integral part of it. This will provide better care and also saves 80 jobs right here in Oneida County.”