Crouse Health opens new center for addiction-treatment services

The New York State Department of Health and Empire State Development Corporation awarded Crouse Health $17 million to purchase the land and pay for the construction project. Local individuals and foundations have also made donations to assist Crouse in “growing some of the unique offerings and activities that are hallmarks” of its addiction-treatment programs.

The William G. Pomeroy Foundation made a special donation in support of the new facility. Besides naming the building, the donation created a dedicated endowment within the Crouse Health Foundation to “permanently provide support for the unique offerings and activities that are hallmarks” of Crouse’s program.

“For nearly 60 years, Crouse has worked to remove the stigma of addiction and provide personalized treatment,” Bill Pomeroy said. “We are proud to support this important program, with the deepest respect for the courage and commitment of all its patients and staff.”

Benefits of new location

The new location will allow Crouse to expand the integration of medical services, including primary care, with a “holistic, uplifting healing” environment that will lead to improved treatment and recovery outcomes for patients.

“One of our main goals with the new location was to expand access to services and increase outpatient capacity in a welcoming, safe and nurturing environment,” Dr. Tolani Ajagbe, medical director for Crouse’s addiction treatment services, said.

The increased square footage will enable Crouse to provide treatment and recovery services for more than 300 additional patients annually.

Crouse’s outpatient programs serve patients from 23 counties in New York State, with the majority coming from Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, Cayuga, Oswego and Jefferson counties.

In 2020, the service logged more than 151,000 patient visits. Crouse targets all segments of the population including adults; adolescents; pregnant and post-partum women; seniors; developmentally delayed/brain injured patients; patients involved in the criminal justice system; and those with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues.