Nov. 6: WakeMed Joins Local, State and National Leaders to Break Ground and Break Barriers on New Mental Health & Well-Being Hospital in Garner

RALEIGH, N.C. (November 4, 2025) – The future of health care recognizes and elevates the whole person—addressing both the medical and mental health needs of the community. The next milestone in WakeMed’s vision and path to whole-person health is the official groundbreaking at the site of the WakeMed Whole Health Campus in Garner, featuring a Mental Health & Well-Being Hospital and Acute Care Hospital.

On Thursday, November 6, at 10am, several elected officials and local and national leaders who have been integral to this collective, collaborative solution to support a healthier community will come together to celebrate not just breaking ground, but breaking barriers to transform mental health care. They include:

• Governor Josh Stein
• Donald Gintzig, WakeMed President & CEO
• Dr. Micah Krempasky, Chief Medical Officer of WakeMed Mental Health & Well-Being
• Dr. Harsh K. Trivedi, Sheppard Pratt President & CEO (WakeMed’s partner and leading provider of mental health care in the U.S.)
• Garner Mayor Buddy Gupton
• Cabinet Chairs with the WakeMed Foundation’s Courage to Confront Crisis Campaign

“WakeMed has a history of stepping up to meet community needs of our vibrantly growing community—it’s in our DNA,” said Donald Gintzig, WakeMed president & CEO. “This project sets a new standard in mental health care by providing a holistic environment that breaks down barriers to care, reduces the stigma, and provides hope for those in need of mental health services.”

Recognizing the unique aspects of care for those in need of mental health services, WakeMed has partnered with Sheppard Pratt, the leading provider of mental health care in the U.S., to transform care and build a world-class mental health and well-being hospital.

“We are proud to bring our nearly two centuries of mental healthcare experience and expertise to partner with WakeMed to deliver transformative care that helps best serve the community’s mental health needs now and into the future,” said Harsh K. Trivedi, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Sheppard Pratt.

Media Event: Groundbreaking, WakeMed Mental Health & Well-Being Hospital 

Thursday, November 6, at 10am
630 Timber Drive East
Garner, NC 27529

Note: Make sure to put East in navigation/GPS; Parking spots will be available for media near the shuttle drop-off/VIP parking area.

WakeMed’s Whole Health Campus in Garner will include a 150-bed mental health hospital and a 45-bed acute care hospital. Built on the principle that mental health and physical health are deeply intertwined, the campus will be on approximately 56 acres at the intersection of White Oak Road and Timber Drive East in Garner. The campus will be part of a larger 226-acre mixed-use community made up of residences and businesses with a healthy living focus, being developed by Wycliff Development.

The WakeMed Whole Health Campus is an ambitious project made possible with meaningful support from the Town of Garner, Wake County, the state, the federal government, and the WakeMed Foundation’s Courage to Confront Crisis philanthropic campaign. Alongside $6M in federal funding, $6M in funding from Wake County and an additional $6M from the State of North Carolina, nearly $35 million in community support has been raised to date through the Courage to Confront Crisis Campaign (with a $50M goal).

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 973-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, a mental health & well-being hospital, eight emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, two exceptional Trauma Centers—a Level I Trauma Center in Raleigh and a Level III Trauma Center in Cary, and more than 175 physician and physical therapy practice offices. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 12,500 employees, 1,200 volunteers, and 1,300 affiliated physicians along with a network of 900+ primary care and specialty providers with WakeMed Physician Practices—all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

For Additional Information:

Kristin Kelly
WakeMed Health & Hospitals
919-350-5921
krkelly@wakemed.org