FARRE, Texas – DHR Health held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new public-private behavioral health facility being built in north Firre.
The hospital campus will be located at 4800 North Jackson Road in Pharr and will include a new 161,000 square foot building. The city of Farr is providing the land.
Following appropriations from the last session of the Texas Legislature, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is providing an $85 million grant for this cutting-edge project.
“We are here this morning to mark a huge milestone, a very meaningful step forward in addressing mental health needs, not just here in the Rio Grande Valley, but across the state of Texas. ,” said Marissa Castañeda, senior executive vice president. , the beginning of the groundbreaking ceremony.
“This day would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our partners across the region, and we are especially grateful to the City of Pharr. DHR Health’s new behavioral hospital will soon be built, and we are grateful for this partnership. really helped us realize our vision.”
Farr City News Director Yuri Gonzalez agreed.
“I am truly honored to be here on behalf of everyone who works with the great City of Farr. This project truly represents our shared commitment to improving mental health services. “It represents our shared commitment to building stronger, healthier and more resilient communities, and that’s what we plan to do.” Gonzalez said.
“I am truly inspired and excited to see the City of Farr and our leaders and other great leaders coming together to make sure this project, and most importantly this vision, becomes a reality. It’s really inspiring to see that. Once again, congratulations to everyone involved in this amazing project,” Gonzalez said.
DHR Health currently operates an 87-bed inpatient behavioral hospital in Edinburg. DHR Health Behavioral Hospital has 100 beds and is focused on providing a comprehensive approach to mental health care for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. The hospital will also house an intensive outpatient treatment program.
“It is my great honor to stand before you this morning to witness what I call a transformation in health care that is occurring at the bedside in our larger communities. “We are trained to treat people and use their power, knowledge and wisdom to assess and appropriately treat an individual’s mind, body and soul,” said Dr. Carlos Cárdenas, President of the Board of Directors. said. DHR Health said on stage.
“Today, we are at a crossroads. DHR Health has been at the forefront of health care transformation in South Texas. It has been a transformative journey. We deserve the same level of medical care as the rest of the world.”
Cardenas said DHR has been adding to the jigsaw piece by piece.
“Today, we break ground on a great piece of the puzzle that has been created as a collaborative, grounded public-private venture between DHR Health, Farr City, the State of Texas, and our entire greater community. That’s how change happens.”
Cárdenas added: “Welcome to today’s kickoff of transformation. We break ground on a new behavioral health facility in South Texas and continue our journey to treat every patient, every encounter, every moment of time. Thank you. “
The new hospital is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026 and will be Farr’s first hospital. Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez said the new hospital is a “transformational milestone” for Pharr and the Rio Grande Valley because it will provide critical mental health services directly to the community.
“Thanks to the support and partnership of DHR Health, the Texas Legislature, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, this public-private initiative will not only expand access to quality care, but will also protect us for generations to come. ” said Hernandez. Said.
Farr and DHR leaders say the new facility will not only increase access to health care, but also create local jobs, stimulate the economy and strengthen the region’s health infrastructure. They predict the hospital will reduce wait times for people needing inpatient behavioral health care and ensure Valley residents receive the timely, compassionate care they need.
DHR Health CEO Dr. Manish Singh delivered closing remarks. he said:
“DHR is a vision, but Pharr’s DHR is a destiny. It is a promise and a future. We are grateful for the support of our partners, community leaders, and everyone who helped make this vision a reality. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future of health, resilience, and opportunity for everyone. Thank you again for joining us in this special moment. thank you.”
Other speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included State Senators Juan Hinojosa and Brandon Clayton, Vanessa D. Weil-Saenz, Vice President of Behavioral Health Services, DHR Health, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, DHR Health; They included medical director Dr. Delisa Guadarrama and Terry Crocker. , CEO of Tropical Texas Behavioral Health.
Editor’s note: For more information about DHR Health and its behavioral health services, call (956) 362-4357 or visit https://www.dhrhealth.com/services/behavioral-health/.
