The UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital has reopened its recreation and wellness center, thanks to a $114,000 grant from the Penguins Foundation. The facility now features an upgraded gymnasium area, complete with themed décor, additional equipment, a sound system, and Pittsburgh Penguins branding.
Sidney Crosby’s quote, “Dreams are so important. You need to have big goals and expect a lot of yourself, but you have to enjoy the ride, too,” is displayed on one wall of the new space. The grand reopening event was marked by emotional speeches from various figures involved in the project.
Kevin Acklin, President of Business Operations for the Penguins, expressed his admiration for the hospital staff: “You’re there at times when families are in crisis; at times of intense difficulty, trouble and danger; when people are feeling hopeless and disconnected; when they feel they have the weight of the world on their shoulders.” He emphasized that supporting mental health services is crucial because “you’re on the front lines of this mental health crisis we’re having in this country.”
Penguins forward Sam Poulin shared his gratitude towards the team for their support during his break to focus on mental health. He stated that “the Pittsburgh Penguins have really been really good to me…they’ve treated me like a human being.”
Deborah Brodine, President of UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, highlighted how the partnership with the Penguins Foundation demonstrates care for patients: “They’re not isolated; there are people and organizations that care about them.”
Yvonne Maher, Executive Director of the Penguins Foundation who has personal ties to mental health issues due to her brother’s experience with depression, remarked on her passion for this project: “I don’t think that there’s a family out there that hasn’t been touched in some way by somebody who’s experiencing stress or anxiety or depression or some form of mental health issue.”
Dr. Ken Nash from UPMC Western Psychiatric explained how transforming the gymnasium aligns with making hospitals more patient-friendly: “The idea was that we need to have an area where patients…could work out…or play volleyball or basketball.”
This initiative aims not only to improve patient facilities but also reduce stigma associated with mental health issues.
