Psychiatrists flee state hospital in St. Peter

The hospital that treats Minnesota's most dangerous mental patients is nearly devoid of experienced psychiatric staff. Half a dozen psychiatrists have quit recently -- apparently in response to the combative style of the hospital's new administrator. The state will investigate allegations of a hostile work environment.

Author:
BMTN Staff
Updated:
Mar 8, 2018
Original:
Jan 29, 2012

The hospital that treats Minnesota's most dangerous mental patients is nearly devoid of experienced psychiatric staff. Half a dozen psychiatrists have quit recently -- apparently in response to the combative style of the hospital's new administrator. The state will investigate allegations of a hostile work environment.

Screen Shot 2022-06-26 at 6.04.06 PM

TV, Movies and The Arts

The Hollywood star is in Minnesota filming a new movie.

Screen Shot 2022-06-26 at 10.02.59 AM

A GoFundMe set up to help the clinic make the move to Minnesota has surpassed its $500,000 goal.

Screen Shot 2022-06-26 at 12.37.03 PM

The victim's age and name have not been released.

flickr - gov tim walz - mn senate dfl

Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order Saturday meant to protect abortion access in the state and people who come from out of state seeking one.

ambulance

The victim is a 31-year-old man from Prior Lake.

abortion

"Dick's Sporting Goods desperately wants to kill children," Hudson wrote in a tweet.

Screen Shot 2022-06-26 at 7.50.33 AM

The shooting happened around 11 p.m. Saturday.

Screen Shot 2022-06-25 at 7.55.28 PM

Allen Denzel Oliver-Hall has been charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.

Burnsville, Minnesota - May 2019 (2)

Police say youths were shooting at each other on Saturday afternoon.

minnesota river

The body was found upstream from Minnesota River Heritage Park.

ambulance

Clemente Garcia, 20, died Wednesday morning.

Minneapolis police

The victim's identity has not been released.

Gov. Mark Dayton toured the hospital that treats some of the state's most dangerous mental patients. He reiterated his call for $40 million in improvements to the facility. He did not discuss claims that the administrator's combative style triggered an exodus of psychiatrists.

Employees say problems at the hospital that treats dangerous mental patients have gotten worse under an administrator who started six months ago. They describe a tense and chaotic work environment that's led several psychiatrists to quit. A state official says the hospital is close to losing its license.

The Department of Human Services asked David Proffitt to step down Tuesday morning. He was hired for the job in St. Peter just seven months ago. In December, the state agency began an investigation following accusations he created a hostile work environment. Proffitt will help with the transition to new leadership.

A state official tells lawmakers that metal handcuffs and seclusion are being phased out at the state hospital. The hospital was fined last year for maltreatment of patients.

Officials confirm to MPR a patient at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter died this week. They aren't releasing any additional information. The death comes the same week that embattled chief David Proffitt stepped down under pressure.

An investigation by the Human Services Department found an employee at the state hospital in St. Peter emotionally abused a sex offender patient. The hospital, which treats dangerous mentally ill patients, put the employee through a coaching session to prevent future incidents. The incident adds to a series of recent problems at the St. Peter hospital.

Employee injuries at the state's largest facility for the mentally ill and dangerous, located in St. Peter, increased sharply this year, MPR reports. The number of permanent psychiatrists dropped from six to one and security practices have put counselors into closer contact with patients.

DONTCHA KNOW?

You Can Get BMTN Special Offers!

Get Our Newsletter

CLOSE

CLOSE

CLOSE

CLOSE