DHR Health to build new behavioral health hospital in City of Pharr

DHR Health, the Rio Grande Valley’s largest healthcare system, has been awarded a grant from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to construct 100-beds at a new behavioral health hospital in the city of Pharr. The $85 million dollar grant, part of the state’s Mental Health Inpatient Facility Grant Program, is part of an effort by the 88th Texas Legislature to invest over $2.1 billion in expanding behavioral health services statewide. The new facility will help address the need for additional inpatient mental health beds.

The new behavioral health hospital campus will be located at 4800 North Jackson Road in Pharr, and will include a new 161,000 square foot facility. The project is being made possible through   land acquired from the City of Pharr following a competitive Solicitation for Proposals (SFP) and sealed bid process. The groundbreaking event marks a significant step in addressing the growing demand for behavioral health services in the region, especially in light of the increasing number of individuals requiring inpatient care.

DHR Health, which currently operates an 87-bed inpatient behavioral hospital, is expanding its capacity to meet the needs of local communities. The City of Pharr, the State of Texas and DHR Health are investing in the new facility, providing a comprehensive approach to mental health care for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.  With the combined investment, the new facility will have a total of 184 beds serving patients with diverse mental health needs as well as state civil and forensic patients. The hospital will also house intensive outpatient therapy programs.

“DHR Health is proud to take this important step in expanding our services to help meet the growing demand for mental health care in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Dr. Jose E. Igoa, DHR Health Behavioral Hospital Medical Director of Adult Services.  “This new state-of-the-art facility will provide exceptional care and be an integral part of the mental health services we provide to our community. With the support of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the City of Pharr, we are creating a new hub for mental health treatment that will transform lives and improve outcomes for countless individuals and their families,” Dr. Igoa added.

“This new hospital is a transformative milestone for Pharr and the Rio Grande Valley, bringing critical mental health services directly to our community,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Thanks to the support and partnership of DHR Health, the Texas Legislature, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, this public-private initiative not only expands access to quality care but also strengthens our region’s healthcare infrastructure for generations to come,” he added.

The new hospital is expected to open in the summer of 2026 and will represent Pharr’s first hospital. The development is a public-private partnership that will not only increase healthcare access but also create local jobs, stimulate the economy, and enhance the region’s healthcare infrastructure. The hospital will help reduce wait times for individuals in need of inpatient behavioral health care, ensuring that residents in the Rio Grande Valley can receive the timely and compassionate treatment they need.

For more information on DHR Health and its behavioral health services, call (956) 362-4357 (HELP) or visit https://www.dhrhealth.com/services/behavioral-health/