Excelsior Springs, Mo. – Excelsior Springs Hospital (ESH) is currently providing comprehensive services to individuals aged five and older, demonstrating a commitment to whole-person wellness, including mental health services.
According to Brenda Wilzbach, a registered nurse at ESH, the local psychiatric services include individual therapy, group therapy, case management, and medication management to ensure that each patient receives the necessary support.
Dr. Roshan Dasari, a licensed psychiatrist, stated that the hospital operates under the notion that there is “no health care without mental health,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of physical and mental health coexisting.
“There’s no health without mental health. It’s not separate. What affects the body affects the mind. What affects the mind affects the body,” Dr. Dasari said.
Partnerships within the hospital mental health services also play a critical role in the care offered at ESH. As Dr. Courtney Pippin noted, they work closely with the school district, the Excelsior Springs Aging Well task force, the community center, the Thrive Leadership Academy, local law enforcement, and Job Corps. Overall, this outreach helps provide integrated care.
Dr. Pippin added, “We truly collaborate. If there’s a crisis with the patient, then the whole clinic truly comes together to get that patient where they best need to be treated.”
Of the care provided the hospital has a staff made up of psychiatrists including both Dr. Dasari and Pippin as well as, nurse practitioners, licensed clinical social workers, and therapists specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), play therapy, crisis counseling and substance abuse support.
With the support of the cooperative community and physicians, Dr. Dasari noted that the psychiatric services offered ensure that what is best for the patient is what ESH provides to each person who walks through the doors. “We truly don’t have that ‘this is all ours’ mentality,” he said.
Additionally, Dr. Dasari explained that the services offered have faced challenges due to insurance acceptance and provider shortages beyond the local level. He stated that these issues are systematically impacting mental health nationwide, as insurance will “always find loopholes,” added Wilzbach.
Dr. Dasari emphasized that laws are in place to improve mental health coverage, but they have yet to be fully adopted by insurance providers. Overall, Wilzbach noted that those needing to verify insurance coverage should do so before planning a visit.
Nonetheless, the psychiatric services located at ESH will see patients without referrals and conduct over-the-phone evaluations before a scheduled appointment, as well as provide crisis care based on individual needs.
Currently, according to Wilzbach, the psychiatric services are expanding beyond the rural area of Excelsior Springs as they continue to grow, becoming a “vital resource for other communities,” she said. “We are the biggest little town for all the surrounding areas.”
Although wait times for therapy appointments can extend up to four months, Wilzbach noted that individuals requiring medication management may be seen in as little as two to three weeks. However, for all other necessary services, “it just depends on the severity of the patient,” as to when they will be seen, she added.
Overall, the staff involved in psychiatric services at ESH all agree that the services they provide are more than just a job; they represent a significant need within the community. All members, including Dr. Dasari, Dr. Pippin, and Wilzbach, noted their appreciation for the investment they have made in curating what they can offer, as well as the investment made in partnership with Excelsior Springs leadership to make it possible.
“It is amazing to see what the city’s leadership is doing to help Excelsior be a better community,” Wilzbach said, “Almost every time I’m involved with community projects, it brings tears to my eyes because they are so invested.”
Resulting in mental health services that not only prioritize the care they provide but also consider the community and their ability to meet patients’ needs.
“We have the best team. We meet regularly. We talk about the issues and specific patient issues, but also the macro issues,” Dr. Dasari said. “It’s a long game and we keep reminding ourselves that we can see the small seeds being sown,” acknowledging the challenges and the hospital’s ongoing commitment to ensure ESH’s mental health services thrive for those who need them most within a small community.
As the local hospital continues to serve the community with a comprehensive healthcare approach, Dr. Pippin said, “We’re doing fantastic as we are meeting the needs of those in the community as much as we can.”
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