Sean Murphy comes to the Oregon State Hospital from Washington, where he worked his way up through behavioral health administration to a top role at DSHS.
SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Health Authority on Wednesday announced the choice of a new superintendent to take charge of the state’s struggling secure psychiatric facility. Sean Murphy will start at the Oregon State Hospital on July 13.
For more than two years, OSH has been under a series of temporary leaders. Its last full superintendent retired in March 2024; then, a year later, details came to light about the death of a patient in OSH custody, prompting the abrupt resignation of interim superintendent and chief medical officer Dr. Sara Walker. There have been two interim superintendents since.
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Even prior to the leadership shakeups at OSH, the psychiatric hospital faced two interconnected crises. First, there’s been a history of complaints and concerns about safety issues impacting patients and staff alike, reportedly linked to administrative failures throughout the system.
Second, the hospital has faced a mounting capacity crisis, leading to serious issues resonating throughout Oregon’s criminal justice and behavioral health systems. That’s resulted in dramatic court rulings, one holding the state in contempt of court for delayed admissions and another directing them to restrict admissions for some “aid and assist” patients — criminal defendants deemed unfit to proceed in court.
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Murphy comes to OSH from Washington, where he most recently served as deputy assistant secretary for the Department of Social and Health Services. Washington has battled similar problems in recent years, though new investments in behavioral health treatment capacity in the state — done only after the state was likewise held in contempt of court — have begun to ease some of them.
According to the OHA, Murphy oversaw many of those investments at DSHS, providing executive oversight for services which support millions of Washington residents.
“Public service is about improving lives and building systems people can trust, with people who deeply care about the work,” Murphy said. “I am honored to join OSH and work alongside the dedicated employees, patients, families, labor partners, community providers, and partners who are committed to advancing behavioral healthcare in Oregon. Together, we will build on the hospital’s strengths, support our workforce, and continue improving outcomes for the people we serve.”
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Murphy also served previously as assistant secretary of Washington’s Behavioral Health Administration, with oversight of all state psychiatric hospitals in Washington. Before that, Murphy spent time as the deputy CEO of Western State Hospital in Washington.
In all, Murphy brings three decades of executive leadership experience to Oregon in areas of behavioral health, healthcare operations, public safety and large-scale government administration, OHA said, and he’s overseen his fair share of “transformation” at those sorts of organizations.
“Sean is a collaborative and results-driven leader who has the experience to continue the momentum gained by current leadership in creating lasting change at OSH,” said Dr. Sejal Hathi, director of OHA. “He shares OHA’s vision for OSH: delivering safe, compassionate, patient-centered care while building a high-performing organization positioned to meet Oregon’s behavioral health needs.”
Jim Diegel, currently interim superintendent, will continue in that role until Murphy joins on July 13, then will stay on for four weeks as an advisor to help with the transition.