Behavioral Health Expands to Heal the Mind and Spirit

Even before COVID-19, mental and behavioral health needs were on the rise. The pandemic then added to the mental toll on people of all ages and exacerbated the mental health needs of many in the community.

Memorial remains committed to healing the body, mind and spirit of those we touch and continues to expand its behavioral health offerings.

“We’re doing everything we can to expand our services, so we can see more patients and provide the help that we know is needed,” says Tammy Tucker, PsyD, Vice President of Behavioral Health Services.

That growth includes:

• Expanded locations – The behavioral health team will soon open a new and larger outpatient facility in Davie. Currently under construction, the facility is expected to open in fall 2022.
• New services for hard-to-treat depression – One of these is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, a non-invasive treatment using low-level magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the brain
• More pediatric services – Ms. Tucker says pediatric need for behavioral health services is growing and a challenge to meet because of access issues. Memorial is actively recruiting more pediatric psychologists, psychiatrists and other behavioral health experts.
• New specialized programs – These support medical programs and patients going through specific health challenges, such as cancer and chronic pain

They also continue to maintain the response to the opioid epidemic. “It was getting better, but then the pandemic hit and erased some of the progress that had been made,” Ms. Tucker says.

We’re doing everything we can to expand our services, so we can see more patients and provide the help that we know is needed.”

Tammy Tucker, PsyD
Vice President of Behavioral Health Services