Independence Health System Expands Community Behavioral Health Access and Resources, Supported by $1M Richard King Mellon Foundation Grant

GREENSBURG, Pa., September 23, 2026 — Independence Health System has expanded behavioral health access and resources for Westmoreland County. This initiative includes the recent construction of its inpatient Adult Behavioral Health Unit at Latrobe Hospital, supported by a $1M grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, recent extensive renovations and upgrades to the Inpatient Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit at Latrobe Hospital, and additional plans to enhance the Latrobe Hospital Emergency Department and renovate and expand outpatient behavioral health. 

“Our Community Health Needs Assessment identified a clear priority for additional behavioral health resources in our community, and this initiative is a direct response to that,” said Anthony Cancro, Chief Development Officer of Independence Health System Foundations. “By creating this new Adult Behavioral Health Unit and increasing capacity, we are expanding access to essential services and facilities close to home. We are wholeheartedly grateful that the Richard King Mellon Foundation recognized the importance of this need and, in alignment with its own strategic priorities, saw this project as an appropriate investment in the health and well-being of the western Pennsylvania region.”

The newly renovated and relocated state-of-the-art 28-bed inpatient unit opened in June 2026. This was preceded by extensive renovations to the Inpatient Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit at Latrobe Hospital to make it a safe and therapeutic environment for patients aged 18 and younger. The upgraded unit, which opened in fall 2025, provides expanded capacity and enhanced features to support specialized, compassionate inpatient behavioral healthcare.

“Like the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit, the thoughtfully designed Adult Behavioral Health Unit promotes healing, dignity, recovery, and patient-centered care, while supporting the highest standards of safety for patients, visitors, and staff,” said Maryann Singley, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Latrobe Hospital and Behavioral Health Services Administration, Independence Health System. “Behavioral health services have been important to Independence Health System for many years, and for the past 18 months, staff members, providers, and facilitators across disciplines invested a lot of thought, time, and effort into the service enhancements and environment transformation. We thank everyone whose hard work and commitment helped bring this vision to life. We also welcome new staff members and employees and look forward toproviding compassionate, high-quality behavioral health care in this new space that patients and families deserve.” 

To learn more about behavioral health at Independence Health System, visit www.independence.health. 

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About Independence Health System
Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 7,000 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning a multi-county region. 

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health.