TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Shawn Sullivan announced Monday that he has appointed Dr. Tom Kinlen to be the new superintendent of Larned State Hospital. Dr. Kinlen has served as interim superintendent since May of this year.
“Dr. Kinlen has demonstrated his ability to see the big picture, as well as take care of the small but vital details that go into supervising an organization the size and complexity of Larned,” Secretary Sullivan said. “Under his leadership, the hospital has made significant progress toward resolving some of its most challenging problems.”
“I appreciate the support and dedication of all of Larned’s hard-working staff,” the Secretary added. “Over the last few months, Larned State Hospital has taken a number of positive steps forward. There is still much work to be done, but we are on the right path.”
Dr. Kinlen assumes the role of superintendent after having served as Larned’s Director of Psychology since 2008; as the psychology supervisor for the Psychiatric Services Program; and as the Director of Clinical Training for Larned’s recently accredited American Psychological Association (APA) pre-doctoral internship and an Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) postdoctoral fellowship. Dr. Kinlen has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. A member of the American Psychological Association and the American-Psychology Law Society, Dr. Kinlen is the author of numerous articles in learned professional journals regarding forensics and psychology.
The hospital reached a milestone in mid-October, when a surveyor with The Joint Commission conducted a follow-up survey at Larned and reported no deficiencies. The hospital passed its last inspection with flying colors, and the surveyor complimented staff for its teamwork and improvements in patient care. Larned State Hospital also passed a Kansas Department for Health and the Environment Survey this fall.
A new 30-patient forensics unit is scheduled to open on December 31.
Since April, 2012, the hospital has hired 105 full-time direct care staff. In October alone, 19 new direct care employees came on board, 16 of which were direct care staff. In addition, Larned State Hospital has hired a Medical Director, Dr. Ralph Bharati, and a new Pharmacist in Charge, Janet Finger; an additional psychiatrist, two new psychologists, a litigation attorney and a due process coordinator. The hospital continues to press forward with a focus on recruitment and retention. A new scheduling department has been established to work on decreasing overtime and to further reduce the number of double shifts staff is being asked to work.
Retention has significantly improved as a result of these efforts. Staff turnover has decreased from 8 percent in September, 2011 to 5.8 percent in September, 2012. For direct care staff, turnover has fallen from 40 percent last year to 32 percent so far this year.