Las Encinas Hospital was originally called The Southern California Sanitarium for Nervous Diseases, and was founded by Dr James McBride in 1904. It would later become Las Encinas Hospital to reflect the greater range of services that were offered. Dr McBride coined the motto “Non Est Vivere Sed Valere Vita”, which translates to “Not just to live, but to enjoy living”, and is inscribed over the entry to the main building. This concept was revolutionary in that time, and is still quite valid in today’s world. While many things have changed over time, one thing remains constant…quality of care and patient safety are at the forefront of everything we do. Our highly structured and comprehensive programs provide the very best in mental health care.
In 1918, Dr Mc Bride retired and named Dr Stephen Smith II as Medical Director. Dr Smith hired the first female doctor licensed in the state of California in 1923. In 1960, Las Encinas was given a dual license in California to operate as both a medical-surgical and a psychiatric hospital. Las Encinas later relinquished its medical-surgical license to focus on psychiatric and substance use treatment. Dr Smith’s son, Dr Stephen Smith III, became the Medical Director in 1965, and lived on the hospital grounds while raising their 5 children. In 1988, Dr Daniel Suzuki joined Las Encinas Hospital and eventually became the Medical Director, the position he still holds today.
In 2003, Las Encinas was purchased by Aurora Behavioral Healthcare. Since its humble beginnings, Las Encinas has grown from five physicians to over 90 medical staff and allied healthcare professionals, from two nurses, to over 150, from three employees to over 300, from 15 beds to 118 beds, and from basic residential care to a full spectrum of treatment for mental health and substance use disorders. The campus has gone from a small, simple community, to a sophisticated healthcare organization, with an assisted living facility, and a medical office building, helping thousands of individuals over the years.
Today, as the need for behavioral health treatment continues to increase, the number of available beds has not grown with the demand. At Las Encinas Hospital, we have recognized that demand and are finalizing completion of a brand-new facility on site, to accommodate that need. Our new 120-bed facility will be opening in early 2027, making us the largest free-standing acute psychiatric hospital in California. We are proud to be at the cutting edge of care for some of the most vulnerable populations and hope to continue the highest quality of care in the years to come.
Mission
Aurora Behavioral Health Care at Las Encinas is committed to providing exceptional care by partnering with individuals who have behavioral health and substance abuse disorders through recovery-oriented care, empathy, compassion, and wellness.
Vision
To be the designated hospital of choice and healthcare leader in Southern California for providing exceptional continuum-of-care and serving as an academic partner with our educational affiliates.
