Ribbon cutting ceremony with Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce and community partners.

WATERTOWN, Wisconsin - Watertown Regional Medical Center (WRMC) is proud to announce the expansion of its Senior Behavioral Health Unit (SBHU), which officially opens October 1, 2025. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday, September 24, to celebrate the milestone.

The expansion adds 11 new beds, bringing the unit’s total capacity to 26, establishing it as the largest geriatric psychiatry unit in Wisconsin. It also includes dedicated space for patients requiring higher-acuity care.

“Mental health, specifically senior mental health is a growing concern in our community and across Wisconsin, yet services remain limited,” said Courtney Lange, Director of Senior Behavioral Health at Watertown Regional Medical Center. “This expansion allows us to care for more patients when they need it most and improves access to specialized care close to home.”

The Senior Behavioral Health Unit provides short-term, inpatient care for adults 55 and older who need stabilization for acute mental health symptoms in a safe, structured environment. Care is provided by a dedicated, multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Kathryn Johnson and geriatric psychiatry nurse practitioner Rita Gilpatrick, along with registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants. Referrals come from across Wisconsin, with many originating in hospital emergency departments.

The recent expansion was built in partnership with Maas Brothers Construction. Beyond meeting a critical healthcare need, the project also creates 20 new jobs—reinforcing Watertown Regional Medical Center’s role as one of the region’s largest employers.

The project is the latest in a series of significant enhancements WRMC has made over the last five years. In 2023, the hospital upgraded its MRI machine and completed renovations to its Catheterization Lab and Pain Management Clinic. In 2022, WRMC introduced eICU technology to provide 24/7 remote critical care monitoring. In 2021, the hospital launched robotic-assisted surgery and opened a newly renovated Rehab and Therapy space. Each of these investments reflects WRMC’s continued commitment to delivering advanced, patient-centered care close to home.

“Our team is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of this community,” said Keddington. “From the expansion of the Senior Behavioral Health Unit to the many other investments in technology and facilities, every project is focused on strengthening care for our patients today and in the future.”

If your loved one is experiencing a mental health emergency, go to your local emergency department—they can help connect you with the resources and care you need.

For healthcare professionals seeking more information about the Senior Behavioral Health Unit, please contact Bridget Stearns, Director of Operations and Development, at bridget.stearns@watertownregional.com.

About Watertown Regional Medical Center
Watertown Regional Medical Center (WRMC) has been providing the residents of Dodge and Jefferson counties in southeast Wisconsin with excellent healthcare for over 115 years. By placing patients’ needs first, services have grown to include Emergency, Primary Care, Women’s Health, Orthopedics and Spine, General Surgery, Heart and Vascular, Neurology, Pulmonology, Ophthalmology, and many other services. Watertown Regional Medical Center is a joint venture between the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation and ScionHealth. For more information and to see a complete list of the services offered, visit www.watertownregional.com.