Goldsboro, N.C. – North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai visited Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro on Tuesday to tour the facility and discuss ongoing challenges and initiatives. Cherry Hospital is one of three state-run psychiatric hospitals and serves 38 eastern counties.

Joined by senior NCDHHS leaders and hospital staff, Secretary Sangvai toured the treatment mall, patient units, and Riverbend Middle/High School on-site. Discussions focused on pressing issues, including a staffing vacancy rate exceeding 21%, with nearly 200 open positions. The shortage has limited the hospital’s operational capacity to 178 beds, though the facility can accommodate 259.

Officials also addressed the need for a budget update to cover rising staff, food, and utility costs. Cherry Hospital leadership highlighted the upcoming launch of electronic health records aimed at improving care quality and efficiency.

Additionally, the hospital is expanding its support for jail-based capacity restoration services, helping patients deemed incapable of standing trial. This follows recent program expansions in Mecklenburg and Pitt Counties, the latter falling within Cherry’s service region.