WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – The Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern New York has announced that with the support of Kinney Drugs and the Kinney Drugs Foundation they will be expanding mental health treatment services and physical space within Samaritan Medical Center. In recognition of this support, the adult inpatient mental health unit space will be named in honor of Kinney Drugs.

The inpatient mental health unit expects approval from the New York State Office of Mental Health to increase the bed count from 34 to 39 beds. The additional rooms will be private, the current physical space consists exclusively of double-occupant rooms. patients due to aggression, infection control issues, and other reasons require single rooms. The unit is typically full and with the increase in mental health crises. 50% of the adults who visit the emergency department in a psychiatric crisis will need to stay within this unit for stabilization.

Kinney Drugs and its Foundation remain among Samaritan’s top donors, supporters and partners. They have shown dedication to the pediatric patient population and have donated needed funds in multiple departments within the Car-Freshner Center Women and Children, including the Level II neonatal intensive care unit, the play area on the pediatric inpatient unit and a cesarean surgical suite in labor and delivery.

In addition, Kinney Drugs is a partner and fundraiser for Samaritan’s Children’s Miracle Network program. Kinney Drugs became a CMN national partner in 1992, just two years after Samaritan became a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. All stores raise funds for CMN and locally across the Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis County areas.

Kinney Drugs and the Kinney Drugs Foundation have shown their commitment and support to Samaritan over decades and have invested over one million dollars at Samaritan.