Children in Central New York struggling with mental and behavioral health issues now have more access to services in their own backyard thanks to generous donors. The Upstate Foundation, the fundraising arm of Upstate Medical University, raised more than $7 million to expand and add services for children and teens. That’s more than double their goal. Upstate President Dr. Mantosh Dewan is a psychiatrist by trade. He highlighted one of the programs at a donor celebration Tuesday.
“A few months ago, Upstate opened the inpatient bio behavioral health unit for children with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders who also have severe behaviors so that they cannot be treated at home or even in a group home," Dewan said. "[It's] one of less than a dozen such programs in the country [and] the first and only program in the state.”
That’s in addition to after-hours mental health urgent care program for children, and new mental health services in nine Syracuse city schools.
Hundreds gathered outside the new Golisano Children’s Pavilion on Irving Avenue to celebrate Upstate’s largest benefactor…Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano. His most recent $10 million gift brings his total to $20 million dollars. Four Syracuse facilities now bear his name, including the children’s hospital. Golisano says it’s hard to believe it’s been 16 years since he last visited when it opened.
“I still remember the first day I walked through the old building and I said, 'wow, it needs help'," Golisano said to laughter. "So it's been very gratifying. It's amazing to see the services provided here now which makes such an impact on children and families.”
Golisano, now 83, thanked the hundreds of other donors that help expand medical and mental health services for children in Central New York. He spent part of the afternoon visiting patients and families at the children's hospital, and also visited a Mercy Flight helicopter, which he supported with a $5 million gift.
