Ground was ceremoniously broken Wednesday for the Bowen Health Transitional Living Campus at 3090 Frontage Road, Warsaw.
Dr. Rob Ryan, president and CEO of Bowen Health, said, “We’re here today to break ground on an innovative project, and this project has been the brainchild of three of our leaders.”
Those leaders are Tess Ottenweller, vice president of intensive services; Marci Wicks, director of transitional living; and Richard Hoffman, director of facilities.
“So what is their vision?” Ryan asked. “It’s to build a centralized campus, focused on assisting severely mentally ill from our five core counties - Huntington, Kosciusko, Marshall, Wabash and Whitley - to live independently in their communities.”
He said they’re calling the project their Transitional Living Campus.
Currently, Bowen Health operates four separate facilities in Kosciusko and Marshall counties. This new project will combine some of these facilities into one campus-style setting.
“We picked the word campus because unlike traditional group homes, the focus of these homes built on this property will be on building independence. This building is the first of three planned phases of construction. Each part will focus on graduating a resident from basic to intermediate to ready-to-launch skills,” Ryan said.
When a new person comes into Bowen’s Transitional Living system, they will be evaluated to decide what skills are needed to live independently. Once evaluated, they will be placed in the appropriate level on the campus.
“Once built, you’re going to see residents learning about diet and nutrition, personal finance and decision-making, or even how to make friends and develop new relationships. After each skill is learned, residents will graduate to the next building. The residents’ final stop will be our independent-living apartments, built during phase three. There, our residents will be practicing their final steps before returning to independence, or, for some, having their first experience with independence living in their own communities,” Ryan said.
He stated he was particularly excited for what the campus model will do for the residents’ work skills.
“Each resident will be evaluated regarding their career goals. We’ll work with them to add the necessary skills to help them get and keep a job,” Ryan said. “Now, for some, it may be volunteer work. Where others, they may find themselves working at one of the many businesses around our campus.”
Eddie Gomez, Bowen Health vice president of facilities, said the project illustrates Bowen Health’s “strong commitment” to the transitional living residents.
“These individuals are valued members of this community, with hopes and dreams like many of us,” Gomez said. “I can assure you that their new home has been designed with great care, with their comfort and healing in mind first and foremost. This campus will be something our residents, staff and entire community will be proud of.”

Bowen Health President and CEO Dr. Rob Ryan speaks about the Transitional Living Campus at a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for the facilities. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union

He said he couldn’t wait until the ribbon-cutting for the first phase in 2026.
Ottenweller thanked a list of people, including staff, the Bowen Health Board of Directors and current and past patients and their families.
“Transitional Living supports individuals with severe mental illness, like we heard. Focusing on promoting independence, recovery and community reintegration,” she stated. “Our program focuses on equipping residents with practical skills that are needed to live independently and thrive in the community.”
Those skills include daily living activities, managing mental health and engaging in the community environment.
“We take a holistic approach to care to address all aspects of an individual’s well-being, including mental, physical and emotional health. Each resident has regular appointments with mental health and psychiatric professionals, as well as primary care providers, to address their overall health needs. We work closely with family members and caregivers, external community partners and other natural supports, to ensure a resident’s specific needs are met throughout their recovery journey with us,” Ottenweller explained.
The new campus will allow residents to increase their peer support and shared experiences, provide more opportunity for on-site services and increase volunteer and employment opportunities, she said.
Continuing, she stated, “Offering multiple levels of group home treatment and individual living units, our residents will have the opportunity to receive an increase of continuum care right here in their community, and also ensure that they have the tools and support to move from dependent to independent living.”
Bowen Health Chief Financial Officer Jay Baumgartner said when the campus is completed, Bowen will have invested over $12 million in the Transitional Living programs. Phase one will be approximately $3 million of that cost, but the following phases will come soon after.
“I would be amiss if I didn’t give thanks to our legislators, Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addictions, Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers, who are providing the seed money to get this program going,” Baumgartner stated.
Cindy Brady, Bowen Health Board member, said, “This is an opportunity for residents to grow and learn while receiving the support and services to help them flourish.”
She said Bowen’s residents have so much to offer the community, and Bowen Health is thankful to the community for welcoming them and helping them flourish in compassion and understanding.
Wicks said, “Today is more than just turning over dirt. It’s about laying the foundation for the future. This building and this campus will stand as a testament to our commitment to our current and future patients. They deserve a space that is safe and welcoming, and built for them with their input.”
In the campus, she said residents will have the opportunity to heal physically, emotionally and mentally. The space will provide residents with the care, support and resources they need to recover and rebuild their lives.
“Within their walls, patients will find more than just treatment. They will find hope, healing and opportunity to transform their lives,” Wicks stated. “This facility will empower individuals to take control of their health, overcome challenges and build brighter futures for themselves. This will also be a place where the community can come and gather and learn that having a mental health diagnosis does not mean you can’t thrive and have a meaningful and successful life.”
After Transitional Living resident Evan spoke about his journey with Lyme disease, depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis, and how Bowen Health helped him, Bowen Health Chief Operating Officer Shannon Hannon concluded the groundbreaking ceremony.
She said, “We are thrilled to kick off this project. We recognize the need for a continuum of mental health care that goes beyond intensive hospitalization and outpatient care. We also know that our patients are best served right here in their communities, and our communities are made more rich by our patients, like Evan, being a part of them.”
Bowen Health now gets the opportunity to revamp its Transitional Living programs by creating the campus in Kosciusko County, she continued.
“This campus will boast a modern home-like environment designed specifically for skilled growth and development for those that need it most,” she stated. “It is an honor to continue to serve this community and we look forward to providing this new offering for you all.”