David Proffitt, head of Minnesota Security Hospital, resigns at state's request
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David Proffitt, the head of the state's largest hospital for the mentally ill and dangerous, has resigned at the request of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the agency said Tuesday.
Proffitt, who had been hired to run the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter in August 2011, had come under criticism in recent months for allegedly creating a hostile work environment. The Department of Human Services opened an investigation into the allegations in December.
DHS confirmed Proffitt's departure in an email Tuesday afternoon.
"The claims that Mr. Proffitt engaged in any harassment, retaliation, or created a hostile work environment were unsubstantiated," the email from DHS deputy commissioner Anne Barry said. "However enough concerns have been raised and given the urgency with which change must be accomplished, we believe it is in the best interests of Minnesota Security Hospital and the patients we serve to change leadership."
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In his nearly seven months at the Minnesota Security Hospital, Proffitt has garnered criticism from front line staff and doctors, who accused him of an abrasive, confrontational management style. Those concerns led to the departure of all of the facility's top psychiatry staff in recent months.
It continues, "Mr. Proffitt agrees, and effective immediately he has resigned his position as Chief Executive Officer of MSH. He will remain as a consultant during the transition to new leadership to help ensure we continue the progress toward better patient care." Proffitt, reached on his cell phone, declined to comment on the reasons he was asked to resign.
"The work that the forensic state operated services does is incredibly valuable to the state of Minnesota and I am not going to be a part of that in the future and I feel bad about that, but I really support the work they do," Proffitt said. "And that's basically all I have to say about it."
Barry, the DHS deputy commissioner, said she met with Proffitt Tuesday in St. Paul and asked him to resign. If Proffitt had refused, she said, he would have been fired.
The state has already hired a replacement for Proffitt. It appointed Carol Olson, the current administrator of the state-run Community Behavioral Health Hospitals in Rochester and St. Paul to head the facility. Barry said DHS officials had been planning for the possibility that they would need to hire someone to replace Proffitt if the investigation uncovered problems with his performance. Olson's appointment is effective immediately.
Proffitt will remain at DHS as a temporary consultant during the transition period, Barry said.
The hiring of Proffitt to lead the Minnesota Security Hospital, despite concerns about his performance at his previous appointment at Acadia Hospital in Bangor, Maine, raised questions about the hiring process. Proffitt was hired by DHS after the department asked the previous administrator to resign.
Several of the departed psychiatrists are being represented by an employment law attorney, Gregg Corwin, who has declined to say whether the psychiatrists plan to sue the state.
Proffitt said he hopes he will be able to remain employed at DHS in a different position. He said that was a possibility, but declined to provide details.
Hospital at Risk:
Danger and Dysfunction at the Minnesota Security Hospital
► State facility for the mentally ill risks losing license over turmoil
―Published: Feb. 28, 2012
► Data: Violence, restraints common at Minnesota Security Hospital
―Published: Feb. 28, 2012
► David Proffitt, head of Minnesota Security Hospital, resigns at state's request
―Published: March 27, 2012
► Former Minn. Security Hospital leader's 'extremely assertive' style rankled some
―Published: March 28, 2012
► State failed to review troubled past of ousted Minn. Security Hospital administrator
―Published: March 30, 2012
► Auditor to look at agency's hiring practices in wake of Proffitt dismissal
―Published: April 2, 2012
► Former Security Hospital head still getting paid
―Published: April 12, 2012
► After complaints, MN Security Hospital inspected
―Published: April 13, 2012
► Plan gives DHS more oversight in state mental health services
―Published: April 20, 2012
► Funding for St. Peter hospital renovations in doubt
―Published: April 27, 2012
► Security hospital worker 'emotionally abused' patient
―Published: May 1, 2012
► Security Hospital in line for fraction of funding request
―Published: May 4, 2012
► State investigating Security Hospital's handling of missing patient, stabbing
―Published: May 9, 2012
► Investigation shows complexity of caring for the state's most violent and mentally ill adults
―Published: June 8, 2012
► DHS confirms resignation of executive
―Published: Aug. 23, 2012
► More injured employees, fewer doctors at Minnesota Security Hospital
―Published: Aug. 29, 2012
► Minn. moves mentally ill patients to avoid legal action
―Published: Dec. 14, 2012
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