In the midst of the turbulence, uncertainty and fierce competition within Americas troubled healthcare milieu, it is reassuring to discover that there are bastions of excellence where mission supersedes marketing, patients come before profits and the staff is recognized as the paramount resource. These organizations resist transient industry trends, operating with clarity of purpose and adhering steadfastly to serving their very specific populations with hand-in-glove effectiveness. They are often small, unsung organizations that fly under the radar of public awareness until they are needed for oneself or a loved one.
One such organization in South Florida is Hollywood Pavilion, LLC, a 60-bed specialty adult psychiatric hospital uniquely dedicated to womens behavioral health. It is a one-of-a-kind facility, so distinctive that it attracts clients from all over the U.S. With its innovative environment of care, in which the sciences of psychopharmacology and cognitive therapy meet the art of human relationships, Hollywood Pavilion is clearly not just another hospital.
Instead, it represents a substantial and deeply humane departure from conventional healthcare settings. The conceptual foundation of the hospital comes from the uncommon vision and courage of Karen Kallen-Zury, CEO, who says that the mission of the hospital is to restore the lives of women. This is best achieved, she believes, in an all-female environment. “Our goal was to become a womens hospital,” Kallen-Zury says. “We are owned and operated by women and our staff is composed of specially trained women. For our clients, a secure non-threatening environment is essential to their recovery; many of their emotional issues are trauma-based and related to problems they have had with men in their lives. Here, the exclusivity of the setting helps them feel at ease and able to explore themselves. Feeling safe is foreign to many women and yet its fundamental to their well-being.”
Kallen-Zury credits Hollywood Pavilions expert interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, mental health therapists, nutritionists, and art and yoga therapists with the programs success. “Our staff cares deeply about meeting the needs of our clients and treats them with great respect and sensitivity. People leave here feeling very good, knowing that they received quality care delivered with love.” According to Chris Gabel, Chief Operating Officer, referrals to the hospital are generated by case managers, physicians and mental health professionals; self-referral is also common and is driven by the Internet. Admission requires an acute psychiatric diagnosis such as depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. 
Kallen-Zury says that the transformation of Hollywood Pavilion to a womens psychiatric hospital has been a challenging process. The facility, originally a 100-bed nursing home and 80-bed hospital, was purchased by her father in 1973. He reduced the size of the hospital but continued to operate both sections. After a career in broadcast journalism in New York, Kallen-Zury relocated to Florida in 1981 and assumed administrative responsibility a few years later. She is a licensed nursing home administrator who has been with Hollywood Pavilion for 27 years.
While it is a fully licensed, JCAHO-accredited Gold Star healthcare organization, Hollywood Pavilion is experienced by the patients, families and even the staff as a sanctuary. The institutional ambience of traditional clinical settings is replaced by a soothing, peaceful environment where nature is emphasized and the soft earthy colors of gold and honey promote relaxation.
It is a facility where there is passionate dedication to mission, as evidenced by the longevity of the staffs service and the enthusiasm with which they describe their work. Daisy Miller, LCSW, Chief Clinical Officer, explains: “Theres a very different feeling here; its warm and intimate. We blend the medical model with complementary care so that we are treating the whole woman. Because we are small, we can individualize treatment in creative ways. Our clients come here in crisis and we make a long-term difference, giving them substantial tools to change their lives. Our program is clinically intense, with medication, education, individual and group therapy, and is balanced with integrative therapies such as yoga, meditation and art therapy. In many psychiatric facilities, medication is the focus of treatment; here, we view medication as a vehicle that facilitates the healing process.
“Our philosophy and approach come from Karen. She is a visionary who combines passion and compassion, and I feel honored to be part of her vision. This is an extraordinary place to work.”
