Florida's first behavioral health teaching hospital to open to patients in Tampa
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida's first and only freestanding academic medical center-affiliated behavioral health hospital will officially its doors to patients and their families in just a few days.
The Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Behavioral Health Hospital, which is set to open to the public in March, will offer care for patients in mental health crises, along with hands-on learning opportunities for medical students, according to officials.
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The hospital, located in the center of the Tampa Medical and Research District at 1303 West Kennedy Boulevard, is the result of a joint venture between TGH and Lifepoint Behavioral Health.
Following a ribbon cutting Tuesday, John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General, called the new facility 'a beacon of hope' for Floridians.
'With the opening of TGH Behavioral Health Hospital, we are making a significant leap forward in addressing the pressing need for mental health services in our community and across Florida,' Couris said.
The new facility spans nearly 83,000 square feet and features 96 inpatient beds. Officials said inpatient treatment will consist of 24-hour personalized care, including medication management, safety planning and both individual and group therapy.
Partial hospitalization and outpatient treatment services will also be available at the hospital within the next few months.
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The hospital's team consists of academic-medicine-based University of South Florida (USF) Health psychiatrists and psychologists, supported by Tampa General therapists and specialized nursing staff.
'Through our comprehensive academic, research and clinical activities, the University of South Florida is uniquely positioned to help address the growing demand for behavioral health services in our community,' said USF President Rhea Law.
Florida lawmakers passed Senate Bill 330 during the 2024 legislative session to create a behavioral health teaching hospital designation in state statute. The law names the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital as the first of four such facilities in the state.
Officials said the hospital is expected to serve as a key behavioral health training and education center for medical students and residents from USF Health's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the Morsani College of Medicine.
Doug Leonardo, who has more than 25 years of experience in behavioral health, having implemented behavioral health services at 12 hospitals and emergency departments in Florida, will serve as the president and CEO of the TGH Behavioral Health Hospital.
'This is the start of a new era in mental health care, combining academic excellence with patient-centered treatment,' Leonardo said. 'The TGH Behavioral Health Hospital will transform the landscape of behavioral health services in Florida, ensuring that individuals and families receive the support they need for mental wellness and recovery.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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