Cornell Behavioral Health Pavilion at – Sarasota

DO NOT GO

this system is an actual joke!!!!!!!! daughter who is still manic and who is bi-polar with ptsd was released even though her own Dr advised against it. she went in voluntarily and they Baker acted he and now she is out… with no money, no job, no place to live and they didnt care one bit! the probate court should be held liable for any damage that comes to my daughter. we finally got her to our home last night and she is a mess. this process is terrible and i advise to NEVER put your family members care in the hands of this incompetent system!!!!! i would give negative 5 stars if i could!!!!!

I was here in end of May- middle of June 2026, and I absolutely loved the staff! Kimmy, Laura, Frank, nurses Bobbie, and Rose, and the rest of the staff are AMAZING!!!! Shoutout to Addison! You guys truly helped me… prepare for today. I highly recommend Cornell!

We have been trying for several weeks since August 3rd to reach “Jackie Carlson “. I was told she was the head lady to speak too ! We spoke to Darnell at the front desk who transferred me to a Susan instead of Jackie (… Susan represented herself as a so called supervisor at CORNELL behavior pavillon )but refused to transfer me and told me Jackie wasn’t in today ( we are told this weekly ) I want my sons medical records and they are hiding them from a concerned parent ! This is a red flag ! My son was 13 and brought here by mistake and I told “Chris “ an employee at night who was part of the 3 violating patient info the night my son was taken here . I told Chris when he called me after Sharon hung up on me soon realizing after an hour and a half she didn’t have me on hold (and it’s recorded )—- I do not consent to have him treated at Cornell to the night employee “Chris “before I arrived to pick him up . Sharon the employee at night shift who was the first to reach out to me and I do have my phone records this incoming call changed my whole outlook on behavior health facilities with children Sharon the night employee called me from Cornell bahbior pavillion to ask if I give consent and to get his SS number SHARON forget to put me on hold for over an hour !!!!! . After hearing 20 minutes of things no mother should hear , no daughter should hear , NO AUNTIE no one should of heard this women and the vulgar things she was speaking of about patients and staff their ——- we me and my third party as a witness decided to go get him due to a hippa Violations , conflict of Intrest for sure and malpractice reasons . Sharon who violated hippa admitted him without my consent and it’s recorded and with a witness . everything has been recorded by third party recipients ! We will bring justice to all the kids and parents neglected at Cornell Behavior Health - Sharon the night nurse told my son “ kids have died in that place “ Again after calling to get my sons records today - I was pushed away over the phone by non cooperative staff at Cornell and still today not one person employed at Cornell gave me the time or day - I want my sons records as a parent of a minor child and her her E-Mail address . We have a 45 minute recorded conversation from a lady who worked nights & employed at with Cornell behavior pavillon named “Sharon “ and two other men one is “Chris “the other we will keep confidential for now . 3 employees thought they had put a mother of a minor child on hold but that Parent over heard an hour of Hippa Violations and now we will precede to News and further authorities in this terrible facility with Hippa violations and verbal abuse on many levels if any other person would like to come forward reach out to me I am going to take this to the news since she doesn’t want to cooperate. I am going to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone at Cornell !

The night admissions team were very kind and informative during the process of my loved one being admitted. The social worker both at time of admission & also who I spoke with the day after was extremely kind and… informative and answered any questions I had. However, when I called a day later.. yesterday to get an update/speak to a nurse to leave a message to my husband… that process was unpleasant. The extensions to get to the units are not explained well other than North & South etc. I spoke to 5 different people trying to get to the correct floor and there was one woman who rudely said to me “Unless your husband is a child you have the wrong floor” & transferred me somewhere else without saying anything else. I got transferred to Ashley who was very kind who told me they were headed to dinner. Then today, again it took about 5 transfers then I get the same person from yesterday who happened to be on the floor my husband was on and I was asking about the discharge process because I was told he would be today and she said “What do you need to know?” “He’ll be discharged when you come pick him up” again very unpleasant. I’ve never been to this facility, I don’t know if they call first, or just send the patients on their own once they are released. Also, I’m obviously emotionally distraught about this, I am his wife and we have 3 children… this is very difficult for me and you would think a mental health facility would be more gentle/comforting at times like this. To be spoken to with such a sharp/harsh tone and almost annoyed I am asking questions further hurt my heart. These are vulnerable times for both the patient and their loved ones. Please speak to your employees about using a compassionate or at the very least a kind tone. I wasn’t demanding, I was simply asking because I did not know.

Kimmy and Frank were funny and were very relatable. Kimmy really helped me when she talked about making a calendar and writing 1-10 each day like for example today would be let’s say a 7 and then write why it was a 7… weather it be you didn’t wanna go to work today or had a rude customer or just didn’t go as planned. That really helped me see differently. Also Ancy was my nurse and was absolutely amazing. She made me feel so comfortable. And Emili was the best psych tech they have. She was so patient and supportive and told me you have a couple more days left and it will go by fast and it’ll be time for you to go home before you know it. And that helped me stay positive and it’s true it came faster than I thought. All I had to do was believe.

This place was honestly chill because of the people I met in there, but this psychiatrist were low-key really bad. The food was pretty good not gonna lie and my room was very nice and clean, but staff was really nice… and compassionate and really did care but I did not go here on my own. I got sent here.

Susan gave me a perfect a long injection shot very professional.

Thanks for doing what you do I got help at Bayside but still it's gotta be hard to care. I paint and draw to maintain composure.

The level of incompetence here is appalling. Trying to get help for our son and was denied services. Imagine needing help and some charge nurse gets to decide if you are worthy enough or not. A nurse. Not a psychiatrist… or a Dr., but just a nurse. I've never been met with such total disregard for human compassion.

I mistakingly wrote a good review after I was released from being there for two weeks in January and sent it in. I was also admitted there in April. I wrongly accused my husband of tampering with my medication. It was… not him. This place is horrible. I was brought from SMH by police car and finger printed. I believe that my family paid off employees to mess with me. They knew things about me that I never divulged. I also believe that I was assaulted while I was sleeping. They played music from my phone own playlist without me having my phone. They had clips playing of my husband snoring. I was put in solitary with a male patient who exposed himself and was masturbating in front of me and when I notified the nurse, he laughed it off and they still kept me in the same location with him. I believe my family hacked into their system and could watch me via camera. They gave me benydryl after I had an adverse reaction to it. They tried dosing me with heavily sedated sleeping pills which I refused. The doctors spoke to me in front of other patients regarding my care. And the outpatient is no better. I begged for help and was not given any. I was spoken to disgustingly and sexually by Frank and other patients. The place was filthy, the food was disgusting, the water was cold in the showers. Do not send your family members here. Will I hear back?

Staff there were very nice and compassionate and helpful in many different ways. They definitely could use more structure and maybe some one on one with therapists. For a short term unit it did me good. It got the job… done and pointed me back in the right direction.

Love this place for my PTSD Dr. Thomas Rockszzzz

I had a short stay but very beneficial Jemma was so sweet and caring I couldn’t thank her enough and all my nurses were outstanding I am very happy I went to this hospital I’m feeling a lot better

Kimmy and Frank, the peer support specialists on the unit, were instrumental in helping me stay grounded and positive during my time at Cornell Behavioral Health. Jemma and Angela were exceptional techs who respected my… need for space while still providing attentive, compassionate care. I also want to recognize Addison, my social worker, who was incredibly kind and really took the time to hear me out. The facility itself is clean, well-maintained, and filled with natural light, which made the environment feel a little less heavy. The groups are consistent, and the food is honestly better than I expected, with a good variety of options each day. While my admission was involuntary—and understandably not an experience anyone seeks out—the staff clearly recognize this reality and do their best to support patients while guiding them toward stabilization and recovery.

This place denied my child and gave me a lame excuse that they did not have a type of bed for her. She had to be transported to city 60 miles away. Shame on Sarasota Memorial Hospital Cornell. I would give negative 100… if possible. They did this twice.

Cornell has not only saved my relationship with my family but also my life. When reading negative reviews please keep in mind that the majority of Sarasota residents come from families that are very well off financially… and have unrealistic expectations, this isn’t the Ritz nor Ruth Chris but what it is, is a very clean, productive, caring, and professional facility that does its utmost to keep our days filled with ways to improve our mental and physical health as much as they do with humor and smiles. Patients are provided with private rooms that each come with ambiance lighting, a desk, cubbies, your own bathroom (rainfall shower heads!) and a large screen TV. They even do your laundry everyday. There is normal, everyday (donated) clothing given to each patient within hours of arrival in every attempt to keep us comfortable and our dignity respected. Ryan, Olga, Angela, Jennifer, Laura, Kimmy ❤️, Cheryl, Tony, Adrian, Cici, Phil, Anna, Gemma, KYLE😉, Doctors Thomas, K, Jacoby, the cleaning and kitchen staff and future Dr. Bert (there are more but I’m sorry I can’t remember all your names) I am forever grateful for every moment you spent with me and my tears. And Zion also appreciates the care you gave his momma. With all my love & mental health, Sarah💘 (PS Good luck with the puzzle 🐙)

Please take every negative review with a grain of salt. As someone who had a family member admitted here for 6 weeks and enrolled in ECT for 14 sessions, and they completed both PHP and IOP programs at Cornell, I can… say my experience with the hospital was exceptional and my family member continues to this day to say Cornell not only saved their life, but completely changed it for the better. The front desk, our social worker, the therapists and doctors were all incredibly supportive, communicative, honest and best in class. My family member said the daily schedule was supportive, the sessions were all insightful even if they were tough, they learned so much about themselves and mental health, and the food and snacks were great too. If you are looking for a hospital with a well rounded program inside and outside the hospital this is the place.

"Kimmy at Cornell Health Pavilion is an incredible Peer-to-Peer Specialist. She is professional, empathetic, and—most importantly—honest. She has a way of telling you what you need to hear, rather than what you want to… hear, which is exactly the kind of real-world support that makes a difference. Five stars."

5 stars, best place to get bakeracted to.

The mattresses were awful, and originally everyone is sent to South side…were if you weren’t held against you’re will you’d lock the doors. I was transferred to North side after a while, but only there for bakers act.… However, after being discharged it did NOTHING for me…except make me more in debt

The hospital was organized and efficient during my sister’s Baker Act admission. However, the psychiatric care was disappointing. She did not receive a clear or accurate diagnosis, nor an appropriate treatment plan.… There was little concern for proper follow-up after discharge, and as a result, she continues to struggle. Organization alone is not enough—mental health patients need careful evaluation, correct diagnosis, and continuity of care.

Before checking myself into the hospital, I looked at the reviews and was honestly very scared. I took a chance because my wellbeing needed it so badly. It was my first time ever being committed and I have absolutely… nothing but amazing things to say about this place. It’s a brand new building, it’s beautiful, clean, and the staff is absolutely incredible. Frank, Melo, Eddie, Kimmy, Erika, Addison, they are the most incredible people I have met in my life. They’re so inspiring and genuinely care about the patients. The only negative I can comment on is that you don’t always get the food you order, but nevertheless, the food is not bad at all. You get fed more than you probably eat on the outside, you get quality time with your peers and staff 24/7, you experience incredible groups multiple times a day. I’m so glad I took a chance and got the help I needed. After only 72 hours, I truly feel refreshed and with a clear mind. They gave me a real diagnoses and actually listened to me rather than therapists and psychiatrists I’ve gone to around the area. If you’re hesitant about going, don’t be. The beginning is definitely a change to get used to, but the outcome is so worth it. I hope I never have to go back, but if I do, I gladly would come back here. I was actually a little sad to leave the new friends I made and the staff that changed my life.

This is where you are sent when you are "Baker acted" in Florida, I was stuck there for six days.

Never go there

Horrible experience

My parents sent me here in May. I was there for roughly 3 days. The food was awful and when I would fill out the menu I never truly got the right meal. They would also wake the patients up for blood work in the morning… and what a harrowing experience. My Psychiatrist there also gave me a wheel of abuse and control and kept telling me that my Boyfriend was abusing me in those ways when he never has abused me once. I would know. Phone calls also lasted really short and the beds were like rocks with little to no coverage. There are also cameras inside the rooms which I get why but that’s odd. That place traumatized me and I never would go there by choice. It was like a jail. Yes some of the nurses were nice but I didn’t like the methods used. I felt more depressed when I left.

While I was here they didn’t give me my prescription adhd meds I’ve taken for a year and a half everyday because “there was nothing to focus on” so when I got out I didn’t sleep for a week due to my body having to get… used to them again, I’m sure that was great for my mental health! They put me on anti psychotics even though I was there for depression and have no symptoms of bipolar, schizophrenia, etc. They seem to give those out like candy to anyone that shows any basic emotion, even though it’s very dangerous to take them if they’re not right for you. I’m not sure why they have people who don’t know the dangers of stopping meds cold turkey or the basic symptoms of certain mental illnesses working in a psych hospital…but considering how rude the staff was, nobody truly cares.