August 24, 2015 – El Camino Hospital today announced it received the 2015 Outstanding Treatment Provider Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California Chapter. The Outstanding Treatment Provider Award was created by NAMI California to recognize excellence of care in behavioral health services.
“This award is bestowed upon one healthcare organization for providing exemplary treatment and care to those suffering from severe mental illness. The behavioral health services team at El Camino Hospital is dedicated to reducing the stigma around mental illness through their multicultural outreach programs and services and providing high quality care. We’re pleased to recognize them for their achievements,” said Jessica Cruz, MPA/HS, executive director of NAMI California.
The hospital was recognized for its high quality, compassionate and specialized mental health services. Of particular note were El Camino Hospital’s improved access to services and expanded outpatient programs for people with mental health conditions. Collaborating with local community organizations, leaders and families to provide appropriate and necessary care and services was also a factor in the decision to present El Camino Hospital with the Outstanding Treatment Provider Award.
El Camino Hospital has provided inpatient psychiatric care since its inception over 50 years ago and outpatient mental health services for over 20 years. Each year, the hospital receives about 22,000 mental health visits. In addition to inpatient psychiatric care and acute partial hospitalization, the hospital has developed specialized outpatient programs for mothers with postpartum depression, young adults and seniors dealing with stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues that put them at risk.
“As a healthcare provider, it is critical for our organization to address the special needs of our community and to be recognized by such a prestigious organization like NAMI California, is a testament to the valuable services we provide,” said Michael Fitzgerald, MS, PMHCNS-BC, executive director of Behavioral Health Services at El Camino Hospital. “This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our team in providing dynamic, personalized patient and family-centered mental health care.”
About National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California
NAMI California provides updated information and support to local affiliates and helps organize new affiliates. The organization has 71 local affiliates and represents 19,000 people to the California Legislature and Governor on mental illness issues. NAMI California educates families, professionals and the public about the recent explosion of scientific evidence that shows serious mental illnesses are neurobiological brain disorders. NAMI California works to provide a strong, coherent system that offers a continuum of care for the persistent, long-term needs of people with mental illness, advocates for increased research to uncover causes and new, effective treatments and strives to eradicate stigma.
About El Camino Hospital
El Camino Hospital is an acute-care, 443-bed, nonprofit and locally governed organization with campuses in Mountain View and Los Gatos, Calif. Key medical specialties include cancer, heart and vascular, men’s health, mental health, neuroscience, orthopedic and spine, senior health, urology, and the first Women's Hospital in Northern California. The hospital is recognized as a national leader in the use of health information technology and wireless communications, and has been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center as well as three consecutive ANCC Magnet Recognitions for Nursing Care.
