Beaufort Memorial Expands Emergency Mental Health Services with New ER Unit
December 24, 2025
The Beaufort Memorial Pratt Emergency Center has undergone a $1.9 million expansion designed to improve access to critical mental health services for patients experiencing psychiatric emergencies in Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper Counties.
The new Evaluation and Assessment Unit, attached to the hospital ER, uses the nationally recognized “EmPATH” model (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing) to provide behavioral healthcare in a safe, therapeutic setting.
The unit helps reduce the length of time mental health patients spend in the ER, improving safety and overall outcomes for both patients and staff. Construction began in February 2025 and was completed in December.
“Beaufort Memorial is evolving alongside the community, adapting how we deliver compassionate care to our patients experiencing mental health crises,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “By expanding our emergency department’s abilities with this unit to further deliver specialized psychiatric care, we are improving access, safety and outcomes for our community when it matters most.”
Funded Through Grants and Community Support
The Evaluation and Assessment Unit was funded entirely through grants and philanthropic support to the Beaufort Memorial Foundation. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) awarded $1.6 million for the project, making Beaufort Memorial one of only 13 healthcare systems statewide to receive funding for an emergency department unit dedicated uniquely to behavioral health crises.
Additional support included $150,000 from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, $24,000 from Women in Philanthropy, $10,000 from the Coastal Community Foundation and $100,000 in gifts from private donors.
Evaluation and Assessment
The quiet, secured unit includes two private patient care rooms, a consultation room and a recliner bay – an open area with comfortable seating designed to promote a calm atmosphere, reduce feelings of confinement and support patient-centered care.
Patients arriving at the ER are evaluated by care coordinators and a specialized medical team. Those who require a more controlled, therapeutic environment are then transferred to this unit for more focused mental health treatment tailored to their individual needs.
The EmPATH model, developed by emergency psychiatric expert Dr. Scott Zeller, emphasizes rapid assessment, treatment and stabilization in a calming environment, allowing patients to access appropriate care more quickly than in a traditional ER setting.
“The model allows us to care for patients in a way that is more therapeutic, respectful and overall more effective than a traditional ER setting,” said LeeAnne Smith, MSN, RN, Beaufort Memorial Director of Behavioral Health Services. “The elements of this new unit help de-escalate crisis situations, improving safety for both patients and staff by providing a dedicated space and allowing our team to focus on meaningful, individualized care.”
Your Community Partner in Mental Healthcare
Beaufort Memorial is the only hospital currently serving Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton Counties with an inpatient mental health unit. The 18-bed unit provides care for adults aged 18 and older.
The hospital also serves as the sole psychiatric healthcare provider for the Beaufort County Detention Center, providing evaluation and treatment to an average of 60 inmates each day.
The new Evaluation and Assessment Unit reinforces Beaufort Memorial’s commitment as a community hospital system to expanding access to essential mental health services in the Lowcountry – ensuring patients can receive timely, high-quality care right in their own community, without requiring travel to Savannah or Charleston.
“As this area’s community hospital, Beaufort Memorial has a responsibility to meet the ever-changing needs of the people we serve,” Baxley said. “This unit strengthens our commitment to providing comprehensive mental healthcare and a safe, secure environment for these patients, ensuring that they receive the care they need, closer to home.”