UT Southwestern Medical Center has been selected to operate the new Texas Behavioral Health Center – the first state acute care behavioral health hospital in the Dallas-Fort Worth area – announcing plans to care for its first patients in summer 2026.
In partnership with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, UT Southwestern led the planning, design and construction of the nearly 505,000-square-foot hospital, which is a key part of the state’s comprehensive plan to expand inpatient psychiatric services. Key project partners include HKS, Inc., architecture+ and Whiting-Turner Contracting Company in partnership with Source Building Group.
Following thoughtful deliberations at the state level, UT Southwestern will be entrusted with operating the innovative facility. When fully operational, the hospital will provide 292 beds, both civil and forensic, to serve adult and pediatric patients.
The Texas Behavioral Health Center is located in Dallas’ Southwestern Medical District at the southwest corner of Medical District Drive and Harry Hines Boulevard near Zale Lipshy Pavilion – William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, Parkland Memorial Hospital and Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Children’s Health donated $261 million to support construction of the eventual pediatric unit, which will be operated by UT Southwestern along with the adult units.
