Groundbreaking: Cornell Scott Hill Health Recovery & Wellness Center​

NEW HAVEN, CT — The skies were dark, but the mood was bright at the Thursday ground-breaking of the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center's Recovery & Wellness Center on Minor Street in New Haven.

The Recovery & Wellness Center will offer a safe, short-term therapeutic living environment for people in treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health illnesses.

The three-story, 31,000 square foot building will include individual and group counseling rooms and a medical suite; a 12-bed females’ dormitory and 40-bed males’ dormitory with semi-private rooms; a state-of-the-art industrial kitchen and cafeteria; and designated space for multiple therapies. The building will be alongside CS-HHC’s South Central Rehabilitation Center.

Among those at the event were Gov. Ned Lamont, State Rep. Toni Walker, Mayor Justin Elicker, New Haven Board of Alders members, Yale New Haven Health System Chief Executive Officer Christopher O’Connor, Community Foundation for Greater New Haven President and CEO William Ginsberg, and John Dunne, and Senior Community Investment Officer for the Corporation for Supportive Housing.

The Recovery & Wellness Center will be one of the most comprehensive substance use disorder treatment centers in south central Connecticut. Overall project cost is estimated to be $24.5 million; the State of Connecticut is the lead contributor, investing $10 million in the project.

Earlier this month, CS-HHC announced the formation of the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center Foundation, to support the work of CS-HHC, including the Recovery & Wellness Center. The mission of the Foundation is “to support Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center in promoting the health and well-being of the communities it serves.” Newly elected Foundation Board Chair LindyLee Gold spoke of the quality and accessibility of the health care organization.

“I am convinced that this is a model for the nation and the world, and the Foundation will support efforts to increase public knowledge of the remarkable caliber of care and level of commitment, as we help to develop the resources necessary for CS-HHC to reach and respond to more people.

CS-HHC Executive Officer Michael R. Taylor was quoted as saying that when a person is freed from the "grip of addiction," the treatment of other behavioral health issues and also "address their medical challenges, all in a patient-centered and integrated manner, we not only make individuals healthier, we strengthen our community."

“Today is the culmination of a tenacious, 10-year effort by hundreds of people dedicated to the idea that our patients need and deserve the best and most advanced treatment facility,” he said.

Chief Medical Officer of Mental Health and Addiction Services Dr. Ece Tek noted the "imperative for the Recovery & Wellness Center, citing the increasing severity of the mental health and addiction crisis."

“We are determined to end the stigma that persists about behavioral health. It prevents the full measure of progress from being achieved,” Tek said. "The path to recovery is a journey with obstacles that are often unexpected; with twists and turns that are often unpredictable. We stick with our patients. Our shared goal is to achieve recovery and true wellness.”

With more than 700 staff members who serve more than 55,000 patients annually from more than 25 care sites and schools throughout the region, Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center accommodated more than 360,000 patient visits during fiscal year 2022, which concluded on June 30.

It provides medical, behavioral health, dental and pediatric services.

Construction is underway and the RWC is expected to open for patients by the end of 2023. CS-HHC is working with Svigals + Partners, the architectural firm that designed the building, and Newfield Construction, both Connecticut-based companies.