Larkin Community Hospital Earns Prestigious Behavioral Health Teaching Hospital Designation

South Miami, FL — Larkin Community Hospital has been officially designated a Behavioral Health Teaching Hospital (BHTH) by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), a distinction held by only five hospitals statewide. This recognition underscores Larkin’s leadership in expanding access to high-quality behavioral health care while training the next generation of mental health professionals.

A Rare and Prestigious Recognition

With this new designation, Larkin joins an elite group of institutions in Florida that includes UF Health Jacksonville, Jackson Memorial Hospital, UF Health Shands Hospital, and Tampa General Hospital. The BHTH status is now part of Larkin’s hospital license and reflects the hospital’s enduring commitment to clinical excellence, education, and community impact.

“This designation affirms the daily commitment of our teams to deliver evidence-based, compassionate care while building an exceptional training environment that prepares future clinicians to lead in behavioral health,” said Nicholas Torres, Chief Executive Officer of Larkin Community Hospital. “As a Behavioral Health Teaching Hospital, we will broaden access to services and strengthen the clinical pipeline for behavioral health at a moment when Florida’s communities need it most.”

Advancing Behavioral Health Care

The BHTH designation supports Larkin’s integrated model of care, which unites psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work, and allied health disciplines to deliver comprehensive services across inpatient and outpatient settings. It also formalizes Larkin’s role as a training site for residents, fellows, and students, enhancing curriculum, supervision, and interprofessional education with a strong focus on patient safety and measurable outcomes.

What This Means for Patients and Families

Patients and families in South Florida will benefit from:

Greater access to specialized behavioral health programs
Improved care coordination across inpatient and outpatient services
Earlier intervention for conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and complex co-occurring medical and behavioral health needs

What This Means for Clinicians and Trainees

For clinicians and future health professionals, the designation expands opportunities for:

Hands-on clinical learning in diverse behavioral health settings
Research participation and innovation in mental health care
Engagement in quality-improvement initiatives tied to state standards and best practices

Commitment to Community and Workforce Development

“Behavioral health is an integral part of overall health, and we are committed to ensuring our patients receive comprehensive care,” Torres added. “This milestone allows us to scale what works, invest in workforce development, and deepen partnerships with schools, community organizations, and payers so that patients receive timely, high-value care.”

The designation also aligns with statewide goals to:

Improve mental health outcomes
Reduce avoidable emergency utilization
Expand the behavioral health workforce

As part of its BHTH status, Larkin will maintain rigorous reporting and compliance requirements while collaborating with state leaders on data-driven improvements that directly benefit patients.

Behavioral Health Services at Larkin

Located in South Miami and serving patients across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, Larkin Community Hospital’s behavioral health service line includes:

About Larkin Community Hospital

Larkin Community Hospital is a South Miami–based acute care hospital providing comprehensive medical and behavioral health services to patients across South Florida. Guided by a mission to deliver compassionate, high-quality, and culturally competent care, Larkin also advances education and research that strengthen community health and train the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Larkin Community Hospital — Leading the Future of Behavioral Health Care in Florida