INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Community Health Network and Lifepoint Behavioral Health, a business unit of Lifepoint Health, announced today that they have formed a joint venture partnership to build and operate new inpatient behavioral health hospitals in central Indiana. The formation of the joint venture follows the partners’ September announcement of their intention to expand their existing work together to encompass behavioral healthcare and marks the next step in plans to create greater access to inpatient and outpatient specialty care in central Indiana.
“As the leading provider of behavioral health services in Indiana, Community is proud to expand access to care through innovative partnerships that address the growing needs of our communities,” said Jason Fahrlander, Community Health Network Chief Operating Officer. “This expansion reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional, compassionate care that is both accessible and impactful. Together, we are strengthening the behavioral health infrastructure across the state and ensuring Hoosiers receive the support they need, when and where they need it most.”
The partners anticipate building two new 120-bed hospitals in the greater Indianapolis area, increasing total behavioral health beds in the network and ensuring dedicated treatment spaces for complex needs. This expansion in behavioral health services reflects the escalating need for such services in central Indiana. The recent Community Mental Health Needs Assessment for Marion County, published by the Center for Health Policy at Indiana University, found that two-thirds of county residents who needed treatment for a serious mental illness did not receive it.
“Community is deeply committed to responding to the needs of the communities we serve,” said Dr. Geoffrey Fortner, Medical Director for Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health. “By understanding their challenges and priorities, we can deliver care that truly makes a difference, ensuring individuals and families have access to the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve.”
The partners anticipate construction for new facilities will begin in early 2026. Upon completion, Lifepoint Behavioral Health will manage day-to-day operations for the free-standing hospitals, which will fold seamlessly into the current Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health continuum of care.
“Expanding access to patient-centered specialty care is the driving force of this partnership and the work we do at a community level across the country,” said Russ Bailey, president of Lifepoint Behavioral Health. “Over the last 12 years, we’ve worked alongside Community to expand access to inpatient rehabilitation care, through our network of dedicated rehabilitation hospitals, and we are pleased to build on that foundation to bring more vitally needed services to central Indiana.”
Lifepoint Behavioral Health currently operates 24 behavioral health hospitals, including Sycamore Springs. Lifepoint’s programs address the unique needs of various patient populations and provide evidence-based therapies with distinct short- and long-term goals of improving and sustaining mental health. Community and Lifepoint Rehabilitation, also a business unit of Lifepoint Health, currently operate Community Rehabilitation Hospital North in northeast Indianapolis, Community Rehabilitation Hospital South in Greenwood and Community Rehabilitation Hospital West in Brownsburg through a similar joint venture partnership.
About Community Health Network
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Community Health Network has been deeply committed to the communities it serves since opening its first hospital, Community Hospital East, in 1956. Community Health Network puts patients first while offering a full continuum of healthcare services, world-class innovations and a new focus on population health management. Exceptional care, simply delivered, is what sets Community Health Network apart and what makes it a leading not-for-profit healthcare destination in central Indiana. For more information about Community Health Network, please visit eCommunity.com.
About Lifepoint Behavioral Health
Lifepoint Behavioral Health specializes in providing compassionate care across the behavioral healthcare continuum. Through its 24 behavioral health hospitals and contract management and joint venture partnerships with hospitals and providers across the country, Lifepoint Behavioral Health offers programs designed to address the unique needs of various patient populations, including adolescents, adults and geriatrics. Lifepoint Behavioral Health has diversified programming, allowing specific therapy models of treatment while encompassing the whole person. These treatment models provide evidence-based therapies with distinct short- and long-term goals of improving and sustaining mental health. Lifepoint Behavioral Health is a business unit of Brentwood, Tennessee-based Lifepoint Health.
