LAKE CITY — Stewart Memorial Hospital & Clinics recently celebrated the ribbon cutting and open house for its new Pod D Behavioral Health Services space at the Lake City Clinic.

Community members, staff, health care leaders, and local officials gathered to celebrate the expansion of behavioral health services and Stewart Memorial’s continued commitment to increasing access to mental health care in rural Iowa.

Stewart Memorial leadership also highlighted the challenges many rural communities face in accessing timely behavioral health services, including provider shortages, transportation barriers, and long wait times. The new Pod D Behavioral Health Services space was designed to help meet those growing needs while creating a welcoming and supportive environment for patients and families.

The newly completed space features three therapist offices, a private waiting area, a dedicated play therapy room, a Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) room, and an adjacent camera system observation space that allows therapists and parents to participate in evidence-based family therapy sessions in a safe and supportive setting.

The ribbon cutting also marked a significant milestone in the rapid growth of Stewart Memorial’s mental health service line. In 2023, behavioral health services at the Lake City Clinic included just one therapist. Today, the Lake City location has expanded to three therapists, with a total of five therapists and two behavioral health medication providers now serving patients across Stewart Memorial’s rural health clinics.

“This new space represents our continued commitment to expanding access to mental health care in the communities we serve,” said Darci Peterson, director of mental health services. “Mental health care is an essential part of overall health, and individuals in rural communities deserve the same access to quality services as those in larger urban areas. We are proud to continue growing our services to better support children, families, and adults close to home.”