ɫ��ɫ’s President and CEO, Anne Bakar, recently visited the brand-new Kern County Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) as part of her ongoing tour of Kern County programs and meetings with local stakeholders. The facility impressed Anne: “It is the most beautiful acute psychiatric facility I’ve ever seen—not just at ɫ��ɫ, but anywhere!”

The open and airy design creates welcoming, cozy spaces for clients to meditate or gather, while the uplifting colors, interiors, and artwork make for an inspiring environment. Anne expressed her gratitude for the expertise of Cameron Coltharp, VP of Facilities and Real Estate Services, and Jennifer Hinkel, VP of Development, who played key roles in bringing this development to life in partnership with Kern County.

Cameron highlighted the importance of the facility’s design: “The built environment can significantly contribute to client outcomes and employee retention.” He emphasized that the project’s success was made possible through strong collaborations between ɫ��ɫ’s internal departments, our partners, and external design and construction teams.

A time capsule commemorating the program’s opening was also created, capturing the story behind this incredible achievement. Anne remarked that it was a wonderful tradition that could be continued in future projects.

Reflecting on the team at Kern PHF, Anne praised their motivation, eagerness to learn, and dedication to serving the community. “They have a strong foundation,” she said, adding that while they will need more support as they scale, the relationship with Kern County has become a rich partnership across a broad continuum of services.