Radiant Blog

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Mental Health Crisis: Questions & Answers with Dr. Michael Biscaro

People can and do experience an emotional or mental health crisis due to a wide range of situations. For some, it might be the end of a personal relationship. For others, it might be the loss of a job. Crisis, stress, depression and other issues affect people in different ways. Treatment can help. Here, Michael J. Biscaro, Psy.D., ABPP, chief of behavioral health, discusses mental health crises and the Psychiatric Emergency Department at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center as part of a new video series on behavioral health and the best approaches to care. ...Continue →

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Catholic Health World features St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in cover story on escalating demand for behavioral health services

Most Americans, directly or indirectly, experience behavioral health challenges at some point in their lives. For some, it’s a life-long struggle that drains resources and fractures families. In greater Cleveland, persons with mental illness and addiction have some of the direst needs, which have been further exacerbated by Covid-19. In its June 1 issue, Catholic Health World features St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in a cover story on pandemic stressors driving increased depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Individuals struggling with mental health and addiction challenges not only face a tremendous amount stigma, but they also receive their care from a too fragmented and disconnected delivery system. This is something St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is working to address through its Integrated Care approach – including expanded services and through community partnerships to achieve a complete continuum. ...Continue →

Wednesday, April 07, 2021

Ohio announces grant awards to continue fight against opioid addiction, including $150K to St. Vincent Charity Medical Center

Governor Mike DeWine joined RecoveryOhio and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) to announce funding awards totaling more than $13 million to help communities throughout Ohio continue the fight against opioid addiction and prevent overdose deaths. These State Opioid Response (SOR) 2.0 grants come at a time when many communities are seeing increased demand for behavioral health services amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The awards include $147,428.20 to St. Vincent Charity Medical Center’s addiction treatment center, Rosary Hall, which has been at the forefront of treating drug dependency for nearly 70 years – treating more than 100,000 individuals with the compassionate care that is the hallmark of the hospital. ...Continue →

Thursday, April 01, 2021

St. Vincent Charity Chief of Behavioral Health to Speak at City Club

On April 27, The City Club of Cleveland will present a forum on COVID-19 and mental health featuring St. Vincent Charity Medical Center Chief of Behavioral Health Michael J. Biscaro, Psy.D., ABPP (Forensic), alongside Joan Englund, executive director of the Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition, and Jonathan Lee, president & CEO of Signature Health. Together, they will discuss the pandemic’s impact, and new approaches to help Northeast Ohio residents. ...Continue →

Sunday, February 07, 2021

Crain’s Cleveland Business: New clinic at St. Vincent Medical Center integrates behavioral health, primary care

Integrated Care refers to the practice of treating the whole person — attending to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. This approach meaningfully transforms lives by wholly embracing the needs of each individual. In its February 8th issue, Crain’s Cleveland Business features an in-depth look at this approach at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, as well as the hospital’s new Integrated Care Clinic, which provides outpatient mental health trauma and wellness services in a person-centered approach. ...Continue →

Friday, January 29, 2021

St. Vincent Charity Chief of Behavioral Health Shares Signs and Coping Strategies for Anxiety

Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18% of the population every year. They are highly treatable, yet only 37% of those suffering receive treatment. In its February 2021 cover story, Cleveland Magazine features a series of ways to take charge of your health, including How To Address Signs of Anxiety And Find Solutions from Michael J. Biscaro, Psy.D., ABPP, chief of behavioral health at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. ...Continue →

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

OhioMHAS Launches Online Tool to Provide Real-Time Data on Psychiatric Crisis Bed Availability

The Ohio Department of Health and Addiction Services unveiled a new tool today that will improve access to inpatient psychiatric care for residents in Northeast Ohio with serious mental illness. The Behavioral Health Connection, or B-CON, is an online psychiatric bed registry intended to facilitate timely admission to an inpatient psychiatric unit. This tool is part of a larger effort in Ohio to meet people with serious mental illness where they are and to ensure they receive the care they need in the most appropriate setting. St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is a participating hospital in this effort. ...Continue →

Monday, November 02, 2020

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center Launches Centralized Access for Behavioral Health Services

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center (SVCMC), which is home to Rosary Hall – one of Ohio’s first and best hospital-based addiction treatment centers – today unveiled new centralized access to behavioral health inpatient services. “Centralized access offers a single point of entry to any of St. Vincent Charity’s 27 inpatient detoxification beds and 64 inpatient psychiatry beds,” said Megan Bush, MBA, LISWS, director of intake and access, behavioral health, SVCMC. “The new model promises a swift and linear intake process for referrals from other hospitals, SVCMC providers, external agencies and individuals seeking services on their own.” Referring partners, as well as community members with mental health questions, can call 216-363-2580 to reach centralized access, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. ...Continue →

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center Appoints Russell E. Spieth, Ph.D., as Director of Outpatient Services at Rosary Hall

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center has named Russell E. Spieth, Ph.D., as director of outpatient services at Rosary Hall. In this role, Dr. Spieth provides leadership and operational oversight of ambulatory addiction treatment services, as well as staff and program development for the expanding continuum of Rosary Hall. He also ensures close coordination with Rosary Hall’s inpatient detoxification services, inpatient behavioral health and other hospital programs. ...Continue →

Tuesday, October 06, 2020

Dr. Michael Biscaro Discusses Behavioral Health and COVID-19 on Crain's Cleveland Business Panel

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center Chief of Behavioral Health Michael J. Biscaro, Psy.D., ABPP (Forensic) recently joined an expert panel to discuss Behavioral Health and COVID-19 with Crain's Cleveland Business. As outlined by Crain's, COVID-19 has simultaneously negatively affected many people's mental health and caused new roadblocks for people to access that care. This is especially concerning for those already suffering with mental illness and substance use disorders. How are behavioral health care providers grappling with that reality? Watch as health care reporter Lydia Coutré moderated an hour-long discussion on how people can cope with mental health during COVID-19. ...Continue →