Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
LewisGale Medical Center celebrated a milestone on July 15 that speaks to five decades of healing, compassion and community support—the 50th anniversary of its behavioral health program. More than a hundred people attended the celebration to include state and local elected leaders, community partners and support agencies, and current and retired behavioral health staff.
Held at LewisGale Medical Center, the event included an overview of the program’s history and commended the hospital for its commitment to treating mental health patients. One of the region’s longest-standing and most comprehensive mental health care providers, the program opened as Roanoke Valley Psychiatric Center on June 23, 1975, when Dr. John Hurt, who attended the anniversary celebration, admitted the facility’s first patient. The name was changed to Lewis-Gale Psychiatric Center in May 1991, and is now known as LewisGale Behavioral Health.
Over the past half century, the facility has treated an estimated 75,000 individuals, providing inpatient psychiatric care and serving as a trusted mental health resource for Western Virginia, Southern West Virginia and Northern North Carolina. While its focus is currently on adults aged 18 and older, the center has long provided care for people of all ages, treating the full spectrum of psychiatric illnesses from mood and personality disorders to substance use, psychosis and schizophrenia.
“We’ve been called a ‘center for medical excellence,’ and that legacy remains strong today,” said Collin McLaughlin, chief executive officer at LewisGale Medical Center, and master of ceremonies for the celebration. “This facility is more than a treatment center—it’s a cornerstone of hope in our community, a safe harbor for individuals and families navigating some of life’s most difficult moments.”
Throughout its history, LewisGale’s behavioral health program has included both inpatient care and access to a range of outpatient services. The facility is home to multiple providers and therapy practices, including group and individual sessions, as well as academic training programs through Galen College of Nursing, Virginia Western Community College and Radford University.
Today, the center is staffed by a diverse and deeply dedicated team, ranging from doctors, nurses and therapists to social workers, counselors, housekeeping and dietary services. Margie Twigg, one of the program’s longest serving employees with 50 years of service, was recognized during the ceremony.
“It truly takes a village,” said Leigh Gathings, LewisGale Regional Health System Behavioral Health vice president. “What unites everyone here is a shared mission to provide safety, support and compassion when it’s needed most.”
As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, McLaughlin reflected on the behavioral staff’s advocacy efforts. For decades, the team has worked to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, providing education and outreach to normalize conversations about mental health. From awareness events to community education, staff members have consistently stepped forward to be both caregivers and changemakers.
Mayor Turk presented a proclamation from Salem City Council marking the anniversary.
