Kotek Replaces Oregon State Hospital Leadership After Patient Death

In response to a recent patient death at the Oregon State Hospital on March 18, interim superintendent and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sara Walker has resigned, and Governor Tina Kotek has appointed Dave Baden as the new Acting Superintendent. This leadership change comes as part of an urgent effort to improve patient care and safety, following the disclosure that 21 patients have died since 2020, with nine of those deaths being unexpected. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has been tasked with developing a 30-day plan to address these issues, as the hospital faces criticism from federal regulators and risks losing its accreditation and funding. Governor Kotek emphasized the need for the hospital to meet the highest standards of care, while incoming Acting Superintendent Baden reiterated the OHA's commitment to enhancing patient safety. The state is also considering changes to civil commitment laws to improve access to mental health treatment amid capacity constraints at the hospital. The recent death is under investigation by Oregon State Police, with no suspicion of foul play or suicide.