DHSS Press Release |
Date: October 17, 2007 DHSS-110-2007 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DPC HOSPITAL DIRECTOR TO RETURN TO FORMER POSITION - MECONI ANNOUNCES REPLACEMENT
New Castle - Susan Watson Robinson, the Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC) Hospital Director, has announced her resignation as Director, effective November 18, 2007. Ms. Robinson will return to her previous position as Assistant Hospital Director, which she held before becoming Director. The Assistant Hospital Director position is currently vacant.
"It has been a great privilege indeed to have served in this capacity," said Robinson. "I will leave it with enormous respect for the integrity of the hospital, its administration, staff and patients. I also want to make it perfectly clear that my decision to resign was made on my own terms. The Secretary and the entire department have been nothing but supportive."
"I am very proud of the accomplishments of my staff," continued Robinson. "They are dedicated people who faithfully assisted me in making positive changes to the DPC. For their loyalty and hard work, I will be forever grateful. It has been an honor to serve with them in providing care for some of Delaware's most vulnerable individuals."
In accepting her resignation, Delaware Health and Social Services Secretary Vincent P. Meconi praised Ms. Robinson, saying, "I accepted her resignation reluctantly, and only after initially refusing it in writing. She is a discerning and conscientious public servant of complete integrity. She confronted challenges head on with great purpose to do what was right. She always conducted herself with the utmost grace under pressure. My disappointment at her stepping down is lessened only by the fact that she will remain at the DPC in the Assistant Director position. She's a dedicated public servant with a lot of service left to give."
Meconi announced that former DPC Hospital Director Michael S. Talmo will return to that post effective November 19, 2007.
Mr. Talmo, 58, is currently Executive Director of Piney Ridge Center, in Waynesville, MO. He has led 9 different psychiatric facilities during his career, including the DPC from late 2001 through the end of 2004, garnering praise for his efforts in improving the management and care at the DPC. Mr. Talmo is a Delaware native and graduate of Conrad High School. He earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Delaware and he completed six years of advanced post-master's degree work in counseling psychology at Michigan State University.
"In replacing Susan Robinson, we have selected a hospital director whose record in improving psychiatric institution' ability to serve patients and the community is well known," explained Meconi. "I'm delighted that we have been able to secure the services of such an experienced administrator on extremely short notice. Under Mr. Talmo's leadership from 2001 through 2004, the DPC made many improvements in providing patient care and improving staffing. We know that the institution needs a strong leader to be sure that the progress continues, and I am confident that he will be able to keep the momentum going under the current conditions and increased scrutiny from sources outside the hospital. I also believe that Mr. Talmo and Ms. Robinson will make an excellent management team for the hospital."
For his part, Talmo said "I enjoyed my previous tenure at the Delaware Psychiatric Center and I believe we accomplished a great deal. I'm pleased to have the opportunity to return to my native state. The Delaware Psychiatric Center is well positioned to succeed as an institution and I want to lead them to that success. Delaware Health and Social Services and the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health supported me when I was there previously and I expect the same this time as well. I would add that Susan Robinson's experience and knowledge of DPC make her an indispensable asset to the organization. I'm glad she will still be part of the hospital administration and I look forward to working with her."
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
