In 2020, Providence Saint Joseph Foundation was awarded a remarkable $600,000 grant from the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger to support its Emergency Services Minutes Matter Campaign. A month later, no one could have predicted that Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, like many health organizations, would be on the front lines of a global health crisis. For decades, the hospital has remained at the forefront of emergency medicine, leading the way in best-practice care even during the first uncharted months of COVID-19. In fact, during the early stage of the pandemic, Providence Saint Joseph’s physicians, nurses and medical staff served surging numbers of concerned patients in tents outside of the Emergency Department (ED).

Even in typical years, the ED serves as the entryway to the medical center, with more than 60% of all patients admitted through its doors. It is also a safety net for the increasing number of individuals in the San Fernando Valley experiencing substance abuse and/or behavioral health conditions.

The generous gift contributed by Supervisor Barger will help the medical center build a Behavioral Health Unit within the new ED to improve the care it is currently able to provide. Having a designated Behavioral Health Unit in the ED will allow patients to receive the appropriate level of care in a safe, calm and healing environment, benefitting both patients and staff. This expanded capacity will bolster the ED’s ability to enhance its existing integrated programs to effectively treat and connect patients to the services they need.

Providence Saint Joseph treats between three and eight behavioral health patients each day, seeing the highest numbers toward the end of the month when patients typically run out of their medications. Since the onset of the pandemic, these numbers have been steadily rising as more patients continue to experience the socioeconomic effects of the coronavirus.

“I am delighted to provide Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center with this grant to help build the new Behavioral Health Unit and better serve the needs of our community,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “Providing mental health services for those who visit the Emergency Department is critically important to support overall health and well-being. As a result of this center, vulnerable individuals and their families will receive the services they need to heal and thrive.”

“We are immensely grateful for this extraordinary donation and for all the support we receive for our Minutes Matter Campaign,” said Kelly Linden, chief executive, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. “Thanks to your generosity, we will continue to safeguard the lives of the many individuals who rely on our emergency care services.”