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Larkin Community Hospital has been officially designated a Behavioral Health Teaching Hospital (BHTH) by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), a recognition held by only five hospitals statewide. The designation affirms Larkin’s leadership in expanding access to high-quality behavioral health care while training the next generation of mental health professionals.
With the BHTH designation, Larkin joins an elite group of institutions in Florida, including UF Health Jacksonville, Jackson Memorial Hospital, UF Health Shands Hospital, and Tampa General Hospital. The status is now part of Larkin’s hospital license and reflects the hospital’s sustained 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.”
The BHTH designation supports Larkin’s integrated model of care, which brings together psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work, and allied health 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 focus on patient safety and measurable outcomes.
For patients and families, the immediate impact includes greater access to specialized programs, improved care coordination, and earlier intervention for conditions ranging from mood and anxiety disorders to complex co-occurring medical and behavioral health needs. For clinicians and trainees, the designation expands opportunities for hands-on learning, research participation, and quality-improvement initiatives tied to state reporting standards and best practices.
“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.”
Larkin’s BHTH status also aligns with statewide priorities to improve mental health outcomes, reduce avoidable emergency utilization, and increase the behavioral health workforce. As part of the designation, Larkin will maintain rigorous reporting and compliance requirements and continue collaborating with state leaders on data-driven improvements.
Situated in South Miami, Larkin Community Hospital serves a diverse patient population across Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The hospital’s behavioral health service line includes acute inpatient care, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, consultation-liaison psychiatry, and integrated services that address social determinants of health.
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. Larkin’s mission is to deliver compassionate, high-quality, and culturally competent care while advancing education and research that improve community health.
