Dexter, Missouri -  SoutheastHEALTH announced today the transition of services to the new inpatient behavioral health unit to Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter, effective June 12. The new Adult Voluntary Behavioral Health Unit offers patients a safe, supportive environment staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of behavioral health experts.

The unit, located on the second floor of the new Harty Pavilion in Dexter, also houses a new Emergency Services Department, which includes 15 private patient rooms with full bathrooms along with designated areas for activities, group therapy, dining and visiting, along with an outdoor room. The décor features a soft palate of colors and an abundance of light providing patients a soothing, healing environment.

The unit replaces the current behavioral health unit at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. The Dexter unit, said SoutheastHEALTH President and CEO Ken Bateman, will allow a more centralized location for services. “With its dedicated holding area for behavioral health patients within Emergency Services, there is the benefit of a safer environment for patients and staff,” he added.  Should patients present at these locations and, if voluntary adult inpatient behavioral health care is necessary, patients will have the services of our new inpatient facility in Dexter available for their ongoing evaluation and treatment.    

Bateman noted that “as we continue to evolve our behavioral health program in Stoddard County, an outpatient clinic will be added to ensure ongoing follow-up care.” A new outpatient clinic in Cape Girardeau led by John T. Lake, MD is expected to open Monday, June 25.

“I’ve had the privilege of treating patients at Southeast Hospital from all over southeast Missouri for 18 years. Transitioning to an outpatient setting allows me to establish more lasting therapeutic relationships and provide long term stability for my patients,” said Lake. The new outpatient clinic will be located at 60 Doctors’ Park, Lower Level, Suite 102, in Cape Girardeau.

Approximately 750 adult behavioral health patients are treated by SoutheastHEALTH annually. The multi-disciplinary treatment team includes five psychiatrists led by Pavan Palapu, MD, clinical social workers, registered nurses, recreational therapists and unit technicians. “The team meets daily to discuss the care and treatment of each patient on the unit,” said Nurse Manager Tonya Wooden, BSN, RN-C. “The team works together to build a treatment plan that’s appropriate for each patient.”

About SoutheastHEALTH

At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 13 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical specialties and extending care for patients in a four-state area. Learn more at SEhealth.org.