SMA Healthcare representatives on Tuesday told the Marion County Board of County Commissioners that the private nonprofit is expanding its local treatment capacity and pursuing a psychiatry residency intended to recruit and retain psychiatrists in the region.

The presentation, given by Tory Gentoli of SMA Healthcare, described a new women’s residential substance‑use facility planned at 130 Seventh Loop in Marion Oaks that will include space for infants up to 1 year old and 45 beds. Gentoli said renovations began March 10 at the Sixtieth Avenue campus, and that the men’s residential capacity there would increase to about 60 beds, which together will bring Marion County’s residential substance‑use bed count above 100.

Why it matters: SMA is a safety‑net behavioral health provider serving several counties in the region. County commissioners and staff said expanded local capacity reduces travel and service gaps for residents seeking treatment, and could affect demand on county services such as emergency responders and social programs.

What SMA described

Gentoli said SMA, a 501(c)(3) formed from several prior mergers, acquired local behavioral health centers in 2021 and has since broadened its continuum of care to include prevention, outpatient, residential and crisis services. Gentoli said SMA received a criminal justice planning grant on Feb. 1 to develop a sequential intercept model with the University of South Florida to identify gaps at the intersection of behavioral health and criminal justice.

He described the Marion Oaks acquisition for the women’s residential program, the ongoing renovation of the acute care services building on Sixtieth Avenue and a partnership with Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center to provide primary care services at the Sixtieth Avenue campus. Gentoli said the Marion women’s residential program will allow more men’s beds at Sixtieth Avenue, and estimated the county will see more than 100 residential treatment beds for substance use after both projects are complete.

Psychiatry residency proposal

Gentoli and SMA staff also presented plans for a four‑year psychiatry graduate medical education (residency) program. He said SMA expects an Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) review on April 25 and hopes to begin the program July 1. SMA estimates 6–10 residents per year initially and expects 20–40 residents by the fourth year. Gentoli cited national shortages of psychiatrists and said residency programs commonly retain a large share of graduates where they train.

Commissioners’ response and next steps

Commissioners praised SMA’s work and asked staff to keep the board apprised of project timelines and any permitting or funding requests. Sheriff, fire or other county departments were not asked to take action during the presentation; SMA said it will announce ribbon‑cutting dates and additional community engagement as projects progress.

Speakers

Tory Gentoli — SMA presenter (SMA Healthcare representative)
Robin Lanier — SMA representative (in audience)
Ivan Kasimi — referenced as SMA CEO (absent; noted in presentation) [affiliation: business]
Megan Huff — Senior Director, Marion Residential Services (SMA; introduced)
Latrice — Director, Marion women's residential program (SMA; introduced)
Dr. Samuel — Regional medical director (SMA; introduced)

Clarifying details

Project addresses: Sixtieth Avenue campus (Ocala campus), Marion Oaks ALF building at 130 Seventh Loop (acquisition for women’s residential program).
Planned beds: women’s residential program — 45 beds (women and infants up to age 1); men’s residential capacity at Sixtieth Avenue — up to 60 beds; combined residential beds in Marion expected to exceed 100.
Psychiatry residency: 4‑year post‑graduate program; ACGME review scheduled April 25, anticipated start July 1; projected 6–10 residents per year in early years and 20–40 by year four.
Grant: Criminal justice planning grant awarded Feb. 1 to support a sequential intercept model with USF.

Ending

SMA asked commissioners and the public to expect further notices about ribbon cuttings, the accreditation decision for the residency program and community outreach. Commissioners thanked SMA and said staff will follow up on relevant permitting, public‑safety and site‑improvement matters as the projects move from planning to construction.