Nearly two years ago, ARC Healthcare announced its plans to revitalize the former Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital and open a comprehensive behavioral health facility and inpatient psychiatric hospital in Greenup County. Now, as ARC begins the first phase of opening the new Bellefonte Hospital and Recovery Center, their vision has become a reality.
Bellefonte Hospital and Recovery Center includes a 40-bed unit for individuals in need of inpatient psychiatric services, opened November 20.
“Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital proudly served Greenup County for over 60 years. The hospital was not only a major healthcare provider in the community, it was also the county’s largest employer. When it closed in 2020, its absence was certainly felt throughout the community,” said Tim Robinson, founder and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care. “Over the last two years, it has been a tremendous privilege for ARC to revitalize this former hospital into something new that can continue to aid this region and provide our fellow Kentuckians with the much needed psychiatric and behavioral healthcare they need.”
“The opening of Bellefonte Hospital and Recovery Center is a significant milestone – not only because of the critical healthcare services and good-paying jobs this new facility brings, but because this is happening at a time when very few hospitals are opening in Kentucky and across the country,” said Tim Hatfield, market president of ARC’s Hospital Division. “All this is only possible because of the tremendous community support ARC has received for this initiative, and we are grateful to all our partners who have worked alongside us during this process.”
“Bellefonte Hospital and Recovery Center will not only be a hospital for the less fortunate, but it will bring needed jobs to Greenup County, ” said Representative Danny Bentley, who represents the Russell community. “Thank you to the ARC team for your hard work to open a much-needed psychiatric hospital in North Eastern Kentucky.”
“As Mayor, I have witnessed firsthand the growing need for mental health services in our community,” said Ashland Mayor Matt Perkins. “Our commitment to mental well-being is a collective responsibility, and initiatives like this pave the way for a healthier and stronger community.”
ARC has hired approximately 40 people to-date to staff the hospital during its first phase of opening. They are still hiring for full- and part-time positions. Interested candidates can learn more and apply at arccenters.com/bellefonte/#Jobs.
History:
The Franciscan Sisters of the Poor founded our Lady Bellefonte Hospital in the 1950s after repeated requests from groups across northeastern Kentucky. The faith-based hospital initially opened in 1953 with 92 beds and 40 bassinets. ARC Healthcare will carry on its healthcare mission with its phased opening and hiring.
