New role comes as Stephen M. Morris Behavioral Health Center prepares to open in Concord
Monarch Healthcare has named Dr. John Latz Medical Director of Crisis Services, a dedicated leadership role overseeing medical care across the organization’s crisis services, including the soon-to-open Stephen M. Morris Behavioral Health Center (SMMBHC) in Concord.
In his new role, Latz will shift his primary focus from outpatient care to Monarch Healthcare’s crisis continuum, providing medical leadership for crisis programs and working closely with clinical and operational leaders to support the delivery of high-quality, coordinated care.
With more than 34 years of clinical experience, Latz is skilled in psychiatry, crisis intervention and treatment of high acuity populations.
“Dr. Latz has been a trusted leader at Monarch Healthcare for four years, earning the respect of patients, families and colleagues through his compassion, clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to trauma-informed, person-centered care,” said Monarch Healthcare President Blake Martin.
“He has a unique ability to connect with people during their most vulnerable moments while also supporting and inspiring our clinical teams. Dr. Latz understands that exceptional care and strong operational leadership go hand in hand. His combination of medical excellence, strategic thinking and collaborative leadership makes him the right person to lead our crisis services medical teams.”
Latz will work alongside a multidisciplinary leadership team supporting Monarch Healthcare’s crisis services, including:
- Ashley Conrad, MSL | EVP/COO, Crisis Services
- Adrienne Leach, LCSW | Vice President of Clinical Operations, Crisis Services
- Grace Thompson-Byrum, PA-C | Director of Operations for Child Crisis (FBC), Cabarrus
- Alisha Bradshaw, BSW | Director of Operations, Child Crisis Services
- Sarah Parry, BSN, RN | Director of Nursing, Crisis Services
- Amanda Green-Harrington, MS, LCMHC | Program Director, Behavioral Health Urgent Care
The transition comes as Monarch Healthcare prepares to open the Stephen M. Morris Behavioral Health Center in early fall 2026. Located at 925 Progress Place NE in Concord, the 59,300-square-foot center is a partnership between Monarch Healthcare and Cabarrus County designed to provide a comprehensive continuum of mental health and substance use disorder crisis services for children, teens and adults in Cabarrus County and the surrounding region.
The center will provide four primary services: Youth Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) for children and teens ages 4 to 17; Adult BHUC for adults 18 and older; Youth Facility-Based Crisis (FBC) services for children and teens ages 6 to 17; and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) services for young people under age 18.
Behavioral Health Urgent Care services will provide 24/7 walk-in access to assessments, crisis support and mental health care for youth and adults experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Youth Facility-Based Crisis services will provide short-term care for children and teens who need additional support and stabilization, while PRTF services will provide longer-term, 24-hour residential treatment for youth with more intensive behavioral health needs.
When the center opens, Monarch Healthcare will accept self-referrals for walk-in services as well as referrals from hospitals, primary care physicians, community mental health and addiction service providers, schools and other community partners.
For updates about the Stephen M. Morris Behavioral Health Center, services and opening information, visit ProgresStartsHere.org
About Monarch Healthcare
Established in 1958, Monarch Healthcare provides statewide support in North Carolina and Rhode Island to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance use disorders. The organization is nationally accredited by The Joint Commission. To learn more about how Monarch Healthcare provides support, call (866) 272-7826 or visit www.MonarchNC.org.