September 29, 2026
Methodist Hospitals is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Hittmeier as Director of Behavioral Health Services. Rob comes to Methodist with over 35 years of experience in the behavioral health field.
Rob began his career as a therapist and clinician, serving the child, adolescent and adult populations. He has worked in private practice, group home and residential settings, and in inpatient psychiatric leadership positions. Rob is passionate about client centered care and providing a positive patient experience for our consumers.
He received both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University, studying psychology and guidance and counseling.
Rob joins Methodist as leader of the hospitals’ new partnership with Synergy Behavioral Healthcare. Synergy is a leading provider of quality behavioral health management services.to hospitals, clinics and outpatient practices. With physician led treatment teams, coordinated treatment plans and community partnerships, Synergy’s programs are tailored to meet the needs of each facility and its community.
“Synergy is excited to partner with Methodist Hospitals to expand and enhance behavioral health services for the Northwest Indiana community,” said Synergy President and CEO Jeff Bergren. “We are committed to making high-quality behavioral health care easy to access and available close to home. Together, we look forward to growing services, strengthening quality and coordination, and ensuring patients and families have access to the care they need within their own community.”
With this new partnership, Methodist is committed to expanding its inpatient behavioral health services and to offering new services that improve the mental health status of the community it serves.
“We are confident that our partnership with Synergy will enable us to improve community access to the very best behavioral health care,” said Matt Doyle, Methodist Hospitals President & CEO. “We are pleased that Rob has joined the Methodist Family to lead this effort to expand our ability to provide the high quality, compassionate behavior health services that our community needs and deserves, “
Under Rob’s leadership, Methodist and Synergy are adding staff, renovating the existing inpatient unit and adding new units in preparation for a November opening of the expanded service. Future plans also include adding outpatient services.
About Methodist Hospitals: Methodist Hospitals is a community-based, not-for-profit health system with two full-service acute care facilities in Gary and Merrillville, Indiana, that has been healing Northwest Indiana for more than 100 years. Methodist Hospitals offers a number of award – winning programs, including its Breast Care Center, Cancer Center and Neuroscience and Heart and Vascular Institutes. Its range of services also includes Women & Children’s Services, Bariatric Surgery services, Emergency services, Immediate Care Centers, Orthopedics & Spine services, comprehensive Rehabilitation services, Behavioral Health and Home Health services.
About Synergy Behavioral Health
Synergy Behavioral Healthcare provides behavioral healthcare management, with a full continuum of services including assessment and referral, inpatient programming, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, traditional outpatient and chemical dependency programs. Synergy partners with organizations with the goal of educating the community on the signs of behavioral health issues and the range of treatments available.