A New Name, a Renewed Mission: UF Health Psychiatric Hospital’s Commitment to Quality Care

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of mental well-being and the people who dedicate their careers to supporting it.

This month, we highlight the University of Florida Health Psychiatric Hospital’s role in reducing stigma, expanding access to care and supporting the community’s mental health needs.

In January 2021, the facility formerly known as Shands Vista was reintroduced as the UF Health Psychiatric Hospital, marking a new chapter in its commitment to advancing mental health care.

The transition represented more than a name change; it was a renewed focus on delivering high-quality, evidence-based treatment while fostering a patient-centered environment the community associates with UF Health.

Gregory Stewart, the hospital’s administrator, immediately began leading the rebranding when he was appointed in 2024. He was committed to emphasizing exceptional care and peace of mind for patients and families. He began translating the vision into reality by breaking down traditional silos and hierarchies to create a more connected and collaborative hospital system.

Through staff meetings, town halls and an open-door policy, Stewart encouraged providers and employees at every level to share their ideas and feel heard throughout the rebranding process.

“From our doctors to our housekeeping services, we wanted to establish a true interdisciplinary team where everyone in our facility is important and treated as such,” Stewart said.

That dedication to collaboration is reflected in ongoing training initiatives for everyone. The hospital is currently implementing dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, training throughout the organization. DBT is a research-backed approach that enables team members to better understand and support patients experiencing intense emotions and complex mental health conditions.

The training encourages everyone, regardless of role, to share a common language and approach to patient care. This shared approach builds consistency and continuity across all areas of the hospital.

“Embedding evidence-based practice techniques is the gold standard in psychiatric care,” Stewart said. “Through evidence-based training, our staff is equipped to use consistent terminology, which benefits our patients.”

With 81 inpatient beds, the hospital is designed to serve patients with a variety of needs. The facility includes a child and adolescent unit, an adult inpatient addiction unit and two adult inpatient psychiatric units, allowing for specialized, age-appropriate care.

Tamara Almeyda, MD, a psychiatrist with UF Health, works primarily within the hospital’s adult inpatient psychiatric units. She treats a range of psychiatric disorders, with a particular focus on bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia.

Dr. Almeyda was inspired to pursue psychiatry after taking a human behavior class during her first year of medical school.

“I just fell in love with the field,” Dr. Almeyda said. “It explained many of the things I had observed in other people, which really resonated with me.”

While she initially imagined a career in outpatient psychoanalysis, her residency experience shifted her perspective.

“In those disorders, medication can make such a significant difference in a short period of time,” she continued. These may be chronic illnesses, but if someone can leave the hospital and successfully remain in the community, to me, that feels like success.”

That philosophy continues to shape her clinical approach. As a physician, she believes patient care should extend beyond hospitalization.

“Beyond stabilizing patients for discharge, my goal is also to find a regimen that they, as much as possible, can continue in the community,” Dr. Almeyda said.

She also encourages physicians to involve patients in shared decision-making whenever possible, fostering long-term engagement and improved outcomes.

Her commitment to her patients is also reflected in her ongoing research. By studying conditions such as catatonic psychosis and examining treatment responses to benzodiazepines, antipsychotics and electroconvulsive therapy, she continues to deepen her clinical expertise to better serve those in her care.

“That increased awareness and realizing that I could have done more in certain circumstances that made me want to continue to learn more about it,” Dr. Almeyda said. “Conducting this research ensures that my clinical practice for my patients continues to improve.”

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. Almeyda wants individuals facing mental health challenges to know they are not alone.

“There are caring practitioners out there, along with a community of professionals who feel very deeply about treating mental health,” she said. “Don’t give up. People are here to help.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, call (352) 265-5481 to speak with a counselor who can guide you to the appropriate care and resources. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 for free and confidential support.