This week, the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved Silver Cross Hospital and US HealthVest’s certificate of need application to build a 100-bed psychiatric  hospital in New Lenox.  Silver Oaks Hospital will address the mental health and substance abuse crisis in Will and Grundy counties by expanding inpatient and outpatient services.

US HealthVest has experience working with existing medical providers to expand psychiatric and substance abuse services and access to care.  US HealthVest operates Chicago Behavioral Hospital, a 138-bed psychiatric hospital in Des Plaines, Ill., as well as two psychiatric hospitals in Atlanta and a psychiatric hospital near Seattle.

With the closing of the Tinley Park Mental Health Center in 2012, there has been a shortage of beds forcing more than 60 percent of mental health and chemically dependent patients to leave the area for care.

Construction of the two-story, 68,000-square-foot hospital will begin in fall 2017 and is scheduled for completion in December 2018.