PHOENIX — St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center has been approved to reopen after being ordered to cease operations earlier this year.

A statement from College Health Enterprises, the company that will take over operations at St. Luke’s BHC, confirmed the facility’s reopening as of Wednesday. Arizona Department of Health Services told ABC15 in a statement that the hospital will operate in a “limited capacity.”

One unit of 26 beds is currently open in the facility, “to serve adults in need of inpatient care or who have been court ordered to receive treatment,” according to ADHS.

Video in the player above includes previous coverage of the closure of St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center.

The company states that city and fire officials helped ensure the hospital was safe to reopen and that ADHS has given its “unwavering support and technical assistance during the re-opening process.”

ADHS told ABC15 that staff have been at the facility frequently over the past few months and City of Phoenix building inspectors have completed final surveys to verify that all needed repairs have been made.

The hospital was ordered to cease operations by ADHS in August for issues including non-functioning cooling systems and health and safety issues in the kitchen.

Steven Scott with College Health Enterprises told ABC15 that all HVAC and chiller systems were either repaired or replaced. Scott also says a new permit and license have been obtained to operate the kitchen.

After the order, Seward Health, the previous parent company of St. Luke’s, announced that employees were furloughed and hundreds were laid off.

Several Steward Health facilities across the Valley were acquired by HonorHealth in September, excluding St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center in Phoenix.

When asked about the exclusion, HonorHealth CEO Todd LaPorte told ABC15, “We were never asked to assume the management responsibilities for that facility. It was understood that they had a more national strategy for what to do with behavioral health facilities throughout the steward national footprint.”

College Health Enterprises will officially serve as the interim manager and operator until the process to transfer ownership from Steward Health to College Health Enterprises is complete. Scott says the process is expected to be complete in January 2025. When the change happens, the name of the hospital will become College Medical Center Phoenix.

A full statement from the interim manager and operator can be read below:

“College Health Enterprises, the Interim Manager/Operator of St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center, is pleased to announce that St. Luke’s has been approved to reopen and has resumed providing healthcare services to the Phoenix Community. Through dedicated efforts and substantial investments, we have ensured the safety and security of the building for patients. We are honored to acknowledge the exceptional work of the newly established St. Luke’s team of local professionals, who have consistently delivered high-quality behavioral healthcare services in Arizona. The hospital’s longstanding commitment to the community will continue, and our team remains steadfast in providing exceptional care to every patient.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) team for their unwavering support and technical assistance during the re-opening process. Additionally, we appreciate the invaluable assistance provided by city and fire officials, who went above and beyond to ensure the hospital’s safe reopening. The AZDHS team, and the city officials, maintained oversight, consistently upholding high expectations to ensure the community’s access to this vital healthcare service while prioritizing the safety and well-being of all individuals.

Founded in 1973, College Health Enterprises is a prominent independent, privately-owned hospital and healthcare services company specializing in behavioral healthcare in Southern California. We oversee a growing network of thriving hospitals and healthcare facilities that are integral to the well-being and economic development of the communities we serve. Our comprehensive portfolio includes acute medical/surgical hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, partial hospitalization programs, and various nursing facilities. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to provide behavioral healthcare services to the Phoenix community.”

A full statement from ADHS can be read below:

“ADHS has granted approval to St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Hospital to operate in a limited capacity. We understand how important it is for Arizonans to have access to licensed behavioral health care, and have been working diligently with the operator and owner to find a solution that would allow the hospital to safely reopen.

In October, College Health Enterprises took over as the Interim Manager/Operator of St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center. ADHS Licensing has worked hand-in-hand with College Health Enterprises to review plans for all necessary repairs and to provide technical assistance with the change of ownership and transfer of licensure processes.

ADHS staff have been at the facility frequently over the past few months, meeting with building contractors and hospital leadership to ensure the facility is safe and ready to reopen for both patients and staff. Both ADHS and City of Phoenix building inspectors have received regular updates and completed final surveys to verify that all needed repairs have been made.

In accordance with a settlement agreement entered by the licensee and the Department, ADHS has lifted the suspension order and is allowing College Health Enterprises to open one unit of 26 beds to serve adults in need of inpatient care or who have been court ordered to receive treatment. As part of the agreement, Steward Healthcare must proceed with transferring ownership of the facility January 31, 2025. We will continue to work with the operator and will closely monitor this process to ensure a smooth and safe reopening.

It is our priority to make sure all Arizonans have access to healthcare to support their physical, mental and emotional needs. No-cost mental health support is always available by calling the Arizona Statewide Crisis Hotline at 1-844-534-HOPE (4673) or the national suicide prevention hotline (9-8-8).“

The agreement between AZDHS and St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center can be viewed below: