"The expanded beds are part of Hazelden's strategic plan to serve more people," said Mark Sheets, executive director of the Adult Continuum. "Primary residential care is what we do best, and the way to help more people is to have more beds. We've been running at full capacity for the last four or five years."

The additional beds were created as a result of the new unit and juggling of existing units. The women's units--Dia Linn and Lilly--have moved so they can be close together and better utilize space. In addition to Dia Linn moving to the Family Program space, it will house Ignatia East, the nursing station that serves women. The Lilly Unit has moved to the space previously occupied by the men's Cronin Unit. Cronin moved to the old Dia Linn Unit and the old Lilly Unit has become a men's unit (to be named soon).

The new space for Dia Linn was completely remodeled. It was designed to create a more open, accessible, therapeutic atmosphere, with a goal of integrating aesthetics and functionality. A warmer, less institutional feeling has been achieved with brighter, more cheerful colors and innovative lighting. A new comfort control air conditioning and heating system was installed. Dia Linn's makeover will serve as a model for the remodeling of all patient units in Center City over the next four to five years. The lower portion of Cronin will serve as swing space during that time and will eventually become a second additional primary unit.

Published in The Voice, Summer 2002