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State hires new director for Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital

A picture of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital
MDHHS
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MDHHS

The Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospitalhas a new director.

Jill Krause directed a division of a mental health organization in Kent County and has over 20 years of experience in the field.

“She’s got a significant amount of experience that we think will be very beneficial as we continue to make changes there to improve safety for patients as well as for staff,” Michigan Department of Community Health spokeswoman Angela Minicuci said.  

The state and police continue to investigate allegations of patient abuse at the hospital. Twenty-eight employees were suspended since October.

Since then, 13 have had more training and were allowed to return to work, Minicuci said. She says the hospital hired at least a dozen new employees as well.

“So to now have us starting off on a permanent director for the New Year, that’s a great sign for us and that’s a great step as we continue to make changes there,” she said.

Lindsey Smith helps lead the station'sAmplify Team. She previously served as Michigan Public's Morning News Editor, Investigative Reporter and West Michigan Reporter.