Directors of state psychiatric hospital suspended on allegations of patient neglect

May 20, 2014

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The director of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital at 1312 Oakland Drive and the hospital's director of nursing are currently suspended pending an investigation by the Michigan Department of Community Health into three allegations of neglect involving patients.

Angela Minicuci, public information officer for the MDCH, said Director James J. Coleman and Director of Nursing Sandra Boothby will be paid  pending investigation, which is the department's normal protocol.
The suspensions will last the duration of the investigation, and MDCH will determine next steps based on the findings of the investigation, she said.

KPH is one of three state psychiatric hospitals in Michigan that provides adult inpatient psychiatric services to Michigan residents, with inpatient adult psychiatric services provided through a lease agreement with Western Michigan University,  according to the FY 2015 capitol outlay plan. That document says KPH operates with an average patient census of 160.

 Currently, the acting director of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital is Cynthia Kelly, the bureau director at MDCH who oversees all Michigan state hospitals, Minicuci said.  "As she is very familiar with the operations of our hospitals, patient care has not been impacted and our day-to-day operations are continuing to ensure that patients receive care," Minicuci said.

She would not reveal details of the allegations, the status of pay for the suspended directors, or answer questions about any other aspects of the investigation.

The Kalamazoo Gazette has filed a Freedom of Information request for more information about what led to the employee suspensions at the hospital.

Source: Rosemary Parker, "Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital directors suspended pending investigation by state," www.mlive.com, May 19, 2014.