WakeMed Mental Health & Well-Being Hospital – WakeBrook Marks One Year of Care

WakeMed Mental Health & Well-Being Hospital – WakeBrook marks one year of providing transformational care to adults in need of intensive mental health care. 

WakeMed stepped up to manage WakeBrook, a facility owned by Wake County, after UNC Health made the decision to cease providing services in 2023. Recognizing the importance of the facility to the community, a multidisciplinary team got the facility up and running in May 2024. The 28-bed inpatient mental health hospital has been recognized as a regional leader in best practices related to patient-centered care and reducing involuntary commitment. In one year, the WakeMed Mental Health & Well-Being team at WakeBrook Hospital has cared for more than 1,200 patients. Dignity and respect for our patients are among the hallmarks of the care our WakeBrook team provides. 

WakeBrook Manager Julla Panneh, RN, says: “’The whole is greater than the sum of our parts.’ This phrase perfectly captures our philosophy. By integrating all systems and resources, we create a powerful, synergistic effect that enhances patient care.” 

A few key achievements during the past year include: 

• Reduction in Involuntary Commitments (IVCs): We have significantly reduced the need for IVCs, emphasizing voluntary and compassionate care.
• Compassionate Care: We provide a food buffet service, ensuring patients have access to nutritious meals that cater to their preferences and needs.
• Dignity and Respect: We never remove patients' clothes, maintaining their dignity and comfort at all times.
• Comprehensive Outreach: Even if we cannot admit patients to our hospital, we reach out across teams to provide necessary care wherever they are.
• Resource Optimization: We use system resources efficiently to care for all patients, making the "mountain" of mental health challenges smaller and more manageable.
• Patient-Centered Mission: Our mission is always focused on what is best for the patient. We are not incentivized to leave mental health care; our motto is "Care Transformation."
• System-Wide Leadership: Our Mental Health & Well-Being leadership looks at how all systems impact each other, ensuring a holistic approach to mental health care. 

“We are extremely proud of our team members, who have the right combination of compassion and expertise to care for our patients,” adds Micah Krempasky, MD, Chief Medical Officer, WakeMed Mental Health & Well-Being.