NPMC hosts ribbon cutting on new Behavioral Health Unit
May 28, 2026
National Park Medical Center held the celebratory ribbon-cutting on Wednesday for its new behavioral health unit, which fills a much-needed void in the greater Hot Springs area.
Phase one of the adult behavioral health unit (BHU) within the hospital will open to patients in June, with 12 of the 16 beds available to accept patients. The renovation of another unit to accommodate behavioral health needs was constructed to address the need for inpatient psychiatric services following the recent transition of local behavioral health provider Levi Hospital to a community health foundation.
“We have a commitment to meet a growing need with compassion, dignity and clinical excellence,” said NPMC CEO Scott Bailey. Behavioral health is just as important as physical health, and today we take an important step in ensuring patients receive the care they deserve, right here at home.”
Libby Harrington, Executive Director of Levi Cares, said that mental health needs continue to remain one of the biggest health needs here in the community.
“So, you can imagine how excited we were to hear that National Park was indeed stepping up to the plate and saying ‘Yes’ to continue these services right here in Hot Springs,” she said.
State Representative Les Warren said that it was concerning when Levi closed because of all that they did to meet the mental health needs in the community.
“National Park Medical Center to the rescue,” he said. “Thank you for recognizing a serious need in our state and, more specifically, in our own community. Thank you, Scott Bailey and your administrative team, for your leadership and your willingness to make sure Garland County would not go without the behavioral health care we had lost.
“A community is only as good as the people who make it up. Collectively, we’re known as a great place to live and work because we answer the needs of our people, just like this case,” he added.
Mayor Pat McCabe, who has a history in behavioral health administration, said, “I congratulate National Park Medical Center on your willingness to step forward to serve this important population. People in need are our family members, our friends, and our coworkers.”
Dr. Peter Guresky, Psychiatrist and NPMC Chief of Staff, praised the behavioral health team for all their hard work to make this possible.
“It’s good for our community. It’s good for our friends and neighbors,” he said. “And it is an honor to be a part of serving a population that is so marginalized, traumatized, and underserved in our community.
“It really is incredible what y’all have accomplished in under a year,” Harrington said, also praising the team.
“We are also celebrating a greater level of care today,” she said. “In the past, patients coming to National Park ER that were in need of inpatient behavioral healthcare were transported by ambulance to Levi Hospital for admission. Well, now they can receive that level of care on-site, so that means quicker access to care for the patient and less strain on ambulance services.
Harrington was also pleased that her former coworkers were able to continue their passion.
“I’m also thrilled that this has created a way for many former Levi employees to continue doing what they do best in caring for this population,” she said.
In referring to Levi Cares new mission and path, she said, “We still have work to do in the community when it comes to building all of the wrap-around supportive services that people need, both before and after hospitalization. But today shows that we are not going backwards in mental healthcare in Garland County; instead, this is a huge step forward.
Bailey also thanked LifePoint Health. “I couldn’t thank the leadership at LifePoint enough for their backing,” he said. “This is about a $2.5 million project, and we were able to do it in only eight months. We are strengthening hope in our community by having this available to those in need.”
About National Park Medical Center
National Park Medical Center is a 163-bed full-service acute care hospital located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Our mission is simple: Making Communities Healthier. We are a part of the LifePoint Health family of hospitals, which means we aim to create a place where people choose to come for healthcare, physicians want to practice, and employees want to work. Our core values are honesty, integrity & trustworthiness, inclusion, compassion and legal/ethical compliance. Our hospital’s Joint Commission accreditation powerfully demonstrates our commitment to meeting the highest national standards for quality and safety.
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