DSHS secretary highlights staff input and CMS certification goal for new behavioral-health hospital

Angela Ramirez, secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services, said the topping-out marks a milestone for behavioral-health care and praised the individuals who designed, built and will staff the hospital. She said DSHS employees were able to walk through mock-ups of patient rooms before construction and provided real-time feedback that led to design changes at nurses' stations and bedrooms.

Ramirez thanked the construction workforce and DSHS staff, noting about 600 craft workers were present and that Clark Construction estimates roughly 4,000 labor-force touches across the project. She said the hospital is scheduled to open to patients in fall 2028 and added that there is potential for savings to the state if the facility attains CMS certification.