South Florida State Hospital

Wellpath assumed operation of South Florida State Hospital in 1998, including the transition of existing qualified staff. Prior to the partnership, the aging facility had never achieved accreditation, provided custodial care, and was facing a class-action lawsuit concerning patient abuse and poor conditions. Within 10 months of assuming operations, Wellpath achieved The Joint Commission accreditation, as well as simultaneously beginning the development of a state-of-the-art replacement facility on the same campus.

Wellpath arranged for private sector financing of the new hospital at no additional cost to the State and, upon completion, successfully transitioned 450 employees and 325 patients within a five-day period. Under Wellpath operation, South Florida State Hospital introduced recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care that led to dramatic reductions in the average length of stay and the virtual elimination of restrain and seclusion. Through the implementation of evidence-based practices, active individualized treatment plans/programs, and a successful community transition/aftercare program, the class action lawsuit was dismissed.

South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center

Wellpath assumed the operation of the South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center in 2005, including the transition of existing qualified staff. Prior to the partnership, the facility provided only four days per week of clinical programming, lacked evidence-based practices, and maintained a punitive treatment approach with high rates of restraint and seclusion. Upon assuming operation, Wellpath introduced the recovery culture and treatment approach, implemented the Minkoff Dual Diagnosis program, initiated Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for all security staff, developed active individualized patient treatment plans, and implemented technologies to improve patient care and staff efficiency. The clinical programming was increased to seven days per week, including hours, and Wellpath virtually eliminated the use of restraint and seclusion.

Wellpath designed and built a state-of-the-art replacement facility in 2008, transporting 230 patients from the existing facility in Miami to the new facility in Florida City – a stretch of over 30 miles. The construction of the facility combined the coordination of technical, financial, and project management resources to deliver an on-time, on-budget facility that met all client expectations.