Valley Health Unveils Groundbreaking EmPATH Unit in Northern Shenandoah Valley

Valley Health announced the opening of the Valley Health Emergency, Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) unit with a ribbon cutting on October 17, 2024 and will be open to patients on October 29, 2024. This new facility is the first of its kind in the Northern Shenandoah Valley, offering immediate mental health care in a therapeutic environment and setting a new standard for mental health crisis care.

“Meeting mental health needs is a top priority for Valley Health,” said Mark Nantz, President and CEO of Valley Health. “Our goal is to provide a full spectrum of mental health services to meet community needs and allow patients to transition seamlessly between levels of care as their condition changes. The EmPATH unit represents a significant advancement in mental health care, offering a safe and supportive environment for those in crisis. It provides immediate assessment, treatment, and healing, underscoring Valley Health’s dedication to creating a comprehensive mental health crisis response system in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.”

Located at Winchester Medical Center, the EmPATH unit provides an alternative to the emergency room for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. As the only EmPATH unit in a hospital setting in Virginia that accepts direct patient walk-ins, it ensures timely and appropriate care in an environment designed to accommodate the needs of these patients.

“The EmPATH unit we are inaugurating today marks a milestone in our patient care delivery,” said Tonya Smith, Senior Vice President of Acute Care and President of Winchester Medical Center. “It provides a private, dedicated space for individuals in a mental health crisis to be seen by a mental health provider. This therapeutic environment is tailored to the needs of those in crisis, offering the time and space for therapeutic and psychiatric intervention to support crisis resolution. Following resolution, patients can be transferred to the appropriate level of care based on their individual needs.”

The establishment of the EmPATH unit highlights Valley Health’s steadfast commitment to addressing the mental health needs of the community. In addition to the EmPATH unit, Valley Health now offers new services for children and adolescents at our outpatient location at Westside Station. This new facility provides outpatient individual, family, and group therapy for those aged 5-17, further expanding a commitment to mental health care in the community.