Newport Hospital cut the ribbon Monday on its new adolescent behavioral health unit, marking a milestone in addressing the youth mental health crisis in Newport County.
The eight-bed James P. Nolan, MD and Peggy Nolan Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit is the first of its kind in the county, where families previously had no local acute care options for struggling youth. The unit will begin treating patients in the first quarter of 2026.
Developed in partnership with Bradley Hospital, the unit will provide short-term stabilization, assessment and treatment for adolescents ages 12 to 18 experiencing serious mental health challenges. It is expected to serve more than 240 adolescents and their families annually.
“This unit represents hope for families in our community,” said Dr. Tenny Thomas, president and chief medical officer of Newport Hospital. “We know the mental health crisis for this age group is real and urgent. With this dedicated space, we can now offer specialized care close to home, ensuring that young people receive the support they need during their most vulnerable moments.”
Plans for the unit were announced in the summer of 2023. Construction began earlier than anticipated thanks to donors who contributed more than $5 million to the project.
The unit features modern group therapy spaces, activity rooms and an enclosed outdoor area.
Major donors include the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust, The Champlin Foundation, Bellevue Asset Management and the Schorsch and Weil families. Retired medical professionals Peggy and James Nolan, for whom the unit is named, contributed $1 million toward construction as part of a larger gift to the hospital.
“This is a transformative moment for Newport Hospital, and even more so for the children and families who need the level of specialized care this behavioral health unit will offer,” said Carol Bazarsky, chair of the Newport Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees.
