The Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation, Inc. has awarded $58,000 – entirely funded by donor support – to expand outpatient behavioral health services at Ephraim McDowell Health (EMH). This investment is a critical step in addressing the region’s growing need for mental health resources.

The allocation of these donor-funded dollars was guided by the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), which identified mental health and substance abuse as the leading health challenges in EMH’s six-county service area. Behavioral health services play a vital role in addressing these concerns by providing professional support to individuals facing mental health challenges and addiction, as well as resources for their families. The assessment revealed substantial gaps in access to care, underscoring the need for expanded services.

“Our Community Health Needs Assessment highlighted the critical demand for behavioral health services in our region,” said Laura Richard, Executive Director of the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation, Inc. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to make a meaningful impact by expanding access to essential mental health care. This funding reflects our commitment to improving lives and supporting those on their journey to recovery and wellness.”

This expansion will directly impact mental health needs by increasing the number of patients who can be served through Ephraim McDowell’s outpatient behavioral health service line.

“We are grateful to have received the Foundation’s financial support that allowed us to relocate to a larger facility where we can expand our services and create a more comfortable environment for our patients,” said Dr. Stuart Larson, a board-certified psychiatrist at Ephraim McDowell Behavioral Health.

Ephraim McDowell Behavioral Health is located at 124 Daniel Drive in Danville and serves adults and children ages 5 and older. Besides Dr. Larson, the staff also includes five advanced practice nurse practitioners and two clinical social workers. Telehealth services are available for patients as needed. New patients are scheduled only with a referral from a primary care provider.

About the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation, Inc.
The Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation, Inc. has been dedicated to improving the health of communities served by Ephraim McDowell Health for more than a quarter-century. Through philanthropic support and community outreach, the Foundation helps provide advanced, comprehensive, and compassionate care to patients while addressing critical health challenges in the region.

For more information about the Foundation’s efforts, please visit https://emhealth.org/health-care-foundation/ or contact: Laura Richard at ldirchard@emhealth.org.