By HFT Staff

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission celebrated the grand opening of a new $200 million patient complex and administration building at Rusk State Hospital. 

Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature approved approximately $200 million in funding for the state hospital’s construction since 2017. 

The three-story, 227,368 square-foot patient complex includes a 100-bed non-maximum-security unit and an expanded 100-bed maximum security unit.  The 200-bed unit will increase the number of maximum-security unit beds from 40 to 100. The hospital's overall capacity will stay the same.   

At the new Rusk State Hospital, primary design features include single-person rooms, the use of natural light throughout patient rooms and common areas and outdoor spaces to promote healing and recovery. The hospital offers a variety of therapeutic, recreational and social experiences to prepare patients for life outside the hospital. The 200-bed patient complex also includes a theater, music room, beauty salon, canteen, library, gym, greenhouse and teaching kitchen. 

The new two-story administration building is 18,900 square feet and accommodates the administration department and IT staff. Construction on the building was completed in 2021.