Overview • Mission, Vision & Values •
History and Achievements • Administration

Mission

The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center is dedicated to excellence and leadership in the provision of patient care and the growing need for treatment of persons with mental illness residing in Harris County. UTHCPC has the unique additional missions of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, which includes conducting research into the treatment of mental illness, educating professionals in the care of the mentally ill and providing the resources and knowledge of our staff to the local community.

Mission components include:

Patient Care
The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center is committed to providing quality patient care in a safe and therapeutic environment. UTHCPC is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.(JCAHO)

Inpatient and outpatient care is provided for:

• Children and adolescents, ages 3 - 17, with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or personality disorders, attention deficit disorders, problems related to physical handicaps and severe psychosomatic problems;
• Adults, ages of 18 and up with bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, depression, affective disorders or personality disorders;

Education
UTHCPC plays an important role as a teaching facility for the UT-Houston Medical School. Each year, under the direction of medical or mental health professional staff, more than 500 students receive practical experience in the fields of medicine, psychiatry, psychology, nursing, pharmacology, social services and activity therapy.

Research
UT Medical School Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences faculty direct the research activities of UTHCPC. A primary focus of this research is the development of new technology to improve the quality of life for those with mental illness. Current research projects focus on schizophrenia, depression and bipolar illnesses. The Food and Drug Administration must approve all research involving medications. At UTHCPC, research can and often does involve many other areas besides medication. These include: using neuro-imaging to develop more effective diagnostic procedures; refining criteria of treatment choice; improving crisis treatment options; measuring outcomes for patients; and studying the effect of therapeutic interventions from all disciplines—nursing, psychology, music therapy, etc.—that improve service delivery.

Community Service
As part of the Center’s ongoing effort to educate the community about mental illness, UTHCPC participates in a wide variety of community events, including health fairs, community meetings and other events, in order to educate people about mental illness. In addition, many UTHCPC physicians and other healthcare professionals are available to speak on a variety of topics.

Vision

The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center will be a premier psychiatric provider in the delivery of treatment, education, and research. UTHCPC faculty and staff will promote clinical excellence.

Values

“We Care”

Working as a team to provide quality care in a safe environment
Excellence in the service of care
Culturally competent staff
Accountability in our commitment to excellence
Respect and compassion
Ethical and fair treatment for all