Media Contact
Ashley Dark
Business Development Manager
adark@bayoucityhospital.com
For Immediate Release:
HUMBLE, Texas (February 4, 2026) — Bayou City ER & Hospital, a state-of-the-art Nutex Health Inc. facility located in North Houston, has announced a new partnership with Athra, a nationally recognized behavioral health organization. This collaboration enhances the hospital’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to patients experiencing psychiatric emergencies or substance-related medical needs directly in the hospital’s emergency and inpatient settings, addressing the growing demand for integrated behavioral health support in Houston.
This integration strengthens Bayou City ER & Hospital’s mission to deliver concierge-level care across both medical and behavioral health needs in a calm, supportive environment to every patient who walks through its doors experiencing acute distress.
“Patients in crisis deserve timely clinical attention and a setting that supports their emotional well-being,” said Adam Boester, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Bayou City ER & Hospital. “Working with Athra allows us to offer expert psychiatric assessment and medically guided detox in a safe, private environment where individuals can begin stabilizing immediately.”
Through this partnership, Bayou City ER & Hospital offers patients presenting with behavioral health needs access to:
- Rapid access to licensed psychiatric providers for emergency evaluations
- Medically supervised detox and withdrawal management
- Coordinated discharge planning and connection to community-based treatment providers
“Behavioral health touches nearly every area of patient care,” said Laura Rodriguez, RN, MBA, MHA, CNAA BC, FACHE, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Nursing Officer at Bayou City ER & Hospital. “By embedding Athra’s providers into our processes, we are removing barriers, improving continuity of care, and giving patients the dignified experience they deserve during some of their most vulnerable moments.”
Athra’s experienced team includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed mental health providers who offer psychiatric consultations in collaboration with the clinical staff at Bayou City ER & Hospital. Their flexible care model aligns with the operational flow of micro-hospitals, such as Bayou City ER & Hospital, supporting both acute and long-term psychiatric needs. This approach ensures smooth coordination and meaningful relief for patients, providers, and families alike by bridging the critical gap between mental and physical healthcare.
“Partnering with Bayou City ER & Hospital allows us to expand essential behavioral health access in a major metropolitan region,” said Andrew Hardin, CEO and Managing Partner of Athra. “Their leadership is deeply committed to patient-centered innovation, and we are proud to stand alongside them.”
Together, Bayou City ER & Hospital and Athra are creating a more reliable and responsive path for behavioral health and detox care in Houston.
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About Bayou City ER & Hospital
Physician-owned and operated, Bayou City ER & Hospital provides concierge-level emergency care to the local community and surrounding areas. Bayou City ER & Hospital is open 24/7, 365 days a year, and their team of highly trained medical professionals and board-certified physicians specialize in individualized care without the wait. In addition to emergency medical services, the hospital also provides inpatient stays, behavioral health and medical detox services, pediatric care, and laboratory and imaging services, including CT, Ultrasound, and X-ray. Bayou City ER & Hospital is conveniently located at 19211 McKay Dr in Humble, Texas.
Bayou City ER & Hospital is a Nutex Health Inc. affiliated hospital facility. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Nutex Health Inc. (NASDAQ: NUTX) is a physician-led healthcare services company with approximately 1500 employees nationwide and is partnered with over 800 physicians. Nutex Health, Inc. has two divisions: a hospital division and a population health management division. The Hospital division currently owns and operates 27 healthcare facilities in 12 different states, equipped with highly trained medical professionals who provide concierge-level care to their communities. The population health management division provides management, administrative, and other support services to its affiliated hospitals and physician groups.
About Athra
Athra is a veteran-owned behavioral health organization providing high-quality psychiatric and substance use treatment to hospitals, rehabilitation centers, senior living communities, and government agencies across the United States. Operating in over 150 locations across 20 states and rapidly expanding, Athra is known for its responsive, tech-enabled, and person-centered care models. Through a team of board-certified psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed clinicians—available both on-site and via telehealth—Athra delivers real-time support, including crisis stabilization, medication management, and medical detox. With scalable solutions tailored to each partner’s unique needs, Athra helps bridge critical gaps in behavioral healthcare. Learn more at www.AthraSystems.com.
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