Innovative Design for Integrated Care: Spotlight on Med-Psych Units
At the 2025 Design in Mental Health Conference in Manchester, AMP member Dr. Marsha Wittink (Chief of Medicine in Psychiatry, University of Rochester) and Virginia Pankey (Behavioral Health Practice Leader at HOK Architects) presented a session on the evolving role of Medical-Psychiatry Units (MPUs) in delivering whole-person care.
Their talk, “Pioneering the Design and Function of Medical-Psychiatry Units,” emphasized how integrated clinical and architectural planning can improve outcomes for patients with both medical and psychiatric needs. Highlights included strategies for creating therapeutic environments that support complex care, as well as the importance of interdisciplinary staffing and evidence-based design.
The presentation underscored the value of collaboration between clinicians, designers, and health systems to support truly integrated, patient-centered care.
For more insights from the Design in Mental Health Conference, stay tuned to upcoming AMP newsletters.