In a significant step towards addressing the critical gaps in mental health services, Orlando Health and Acadia Healthcare recently marked the commencement of construction for a groundbreaking behavioral health hospital in Apopka, Florida. The joint venture partnership aims to create a 144-bed state-of-the-art facility that will provide comprehensive inpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals across all age groups struggling with acute mental health issues. Set to open its doors in Spring 2025, this hospital represents a beacon of hope for the Orlando metro area, promising expanded access to life-saving behavioral health services.
A Vital Partnership for Mental Health
The ceremony, held on the site of the new hospital at 1452 S. Orange Blossom Trail, showcased the collaborative spirit between Orlando Health and Acadia Healthcare. This joint venture leverages the strengths of both entities to create a center of excellence that will seamlessly integrate into the existing Orlando Health system. The significance of this partnership lies not only in its commitment to expanding mental health services but also in addressing the specific needs of individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and co-occurring disorders.
David Strong, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Orlando Health expressed his satisfaction, stating, “We are very pleased to expand the inpatient and intensive outpatient capacity for behavioral healthcare and broaden these essential programs.” This sentiment was echoed by Chris Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Acadia Healthcare, who emphasized the pride in being affiliated with Orlando Health and the shared commitment to addressing the growing demand for mental health services in central Florida.
A Closer Look at the Facility
The new behavioral health hospital, a collaborative vision between Orlando Health and Acadia Healthcare, will boast a contemporary design that aligns with the highest standards of patient care. Berglund Construction has been entrusted with the role of the general contractor, while Stengel Hill Architecture will bring the facility to life as the project’s architect. The combination of these industry leaders ensures that the hospital will be equipped with the latest advancements in healthcare infrastructure and design.
The facility’s strategic location positions it as a natural extension of the Orlando Health system, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to providing accessible and high-quality healthcare services. The hospital will offer a spectrum of services catering to adults, seniors, children, and adolescents, addressing the diverse mental health needs prevalent in the community.
Comprehensive Mental Health Services
The range of services offered by the new behavioral health hospital will include both inpatient and intensive outpatient treatment options. By consolidating these services, the facility aims to streamline the continuum of care for individuals struggling with acute mental health symptoms. The comprehensive approach will cover a spectrum of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders, ensuring that patients receive tailored and effective treatment plans.
The decision to transfer all inpatient behavioral health services from the South Seminole Hospital Campus to the new facility underscores Orlando Health’s commitment to consolidating resources and optimizing the delivery of mental health services. This strategic move will further enhance the hospital’s ability to provide specialized care, leveraging the expertise and experience of both Orlando Health and Acadia Healthcare.
Impact on the Community
The collaboration between Orlando Health and Acadia Healthcare extends beyond the walls of the new behavioral health hospital. Both organizations have a strong track record of community engagement and partnerships. With the establishment of this facility, the partners aim to continue their legacy of being active community contributors.
The hospital will not operate in isolation but will collaborate with various organizations, hospitals, and first responders in the region. This collaborative approach ensures a holistic response to the mental health needs of the community, emphasizing the importance of unity in addressing a challenge as complex as mental health.
Looking Ahead
As the construction progresses and the hospital takes shape, anticipation builds for the positive impact it will have on the Orlando metro area. The Spring 2025 opening date is a beacon of hope for individuals and families grappling with mental health challenges, offering them a lifeline to specialized care and support. The joint venture between Orlando Health and Acadia Healthcare exemplifies the transformative power of collaboration in addressing critical gaps in healthcare services.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new behavioral health hospital in Apopka represents more than just the construction of a physical structure; it symbolizes a commitment to the mental well-being of the community. Orlando Health and Acadia Healthcare’s shared vision is set to redefine the landscape of behavioral healthcare in central Florida, providing a model for future partnerships and initiatives aimed at creating a healthier, more resilient society.
About Orlando Health
Orlando Health, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $9.6 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico.
Founded more than 100 years ago, the healthcare system is recognized around the world for Central Florida’s only pediatric and adult Level I Trauma program as well as the only state-accredited Level II Adult Trauma Center in Pinellas County. It is the home of the nation’s largest neonatal intensive care unit under one roof, the only system in the southeast to offer open fetal surgery to repair the most severe forms of spina bifida, the site of an Olympic athlete training facility and operator of one of the largest and highest performing clinically integrated networks in the region. Orlando Health has pioneered life-changing medical research and its Graduate Medical Education program hosts more than 350 residents and fellows.
The 3,429-bed system includes 29 hospitals and emergency departments – 25 of which are currently operational with four coming soon. The system also includes nine specialty institutes, skilled nursing facilities, an in-patient behavioral health facility under the management of Acadia Healthcare, and more than 375 outpatient facilities that include physician clinics, imaging and laboratory services, wound care centers, home healthcare services in partnership with LHC Group, and urgent care centers in partnership with CareSpot Urgent Care. More than 4,750 physicians, representing more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties have privileges across the Orlando Health system, which employs more than 27,000 team members and more than 1,500 physicians.
In FY 2023, Orlando Health cared for 197,000 inpatients and 6.6 million outpatients. The healthcare system provided nearly $1.3 billion in total impact to the communities it serves in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 2022, the most recent period for which this information is available.
Additional information can be found at http://www.orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @orlandohealth.
About Acadia Healthcare
Acadia is a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services across the United States. As of September 30, 2023, Acadia operated a network of 253 behavioral healthcare facilities with approximately 11,100 beds in 39 states and Puerto Rico. With approximately 23,000 employees serving more than 75,000 patients daily, Acadia is the largest stand-alone behavioral healthcare company in the U.S. Acadia provides behavioral healthcare services to its patients in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, specialty treatment facilities, residential treatment centers and outpatient clinics.
