FILE - The Oregon State Hospital in Salem, pictured March 8, 2023.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
The latest leader charged with overseeing the troubled Oregon State Hospital is out.
Sean Murphy lasted a mere month in the role.
The Oregon Health Authority, the agency responsible for the state hospital, sent an email saying Murphy’s trial-service period would not be continuing and state leaders would continue to recruit for a permanent superintendent, as first reported by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Murphy’s first day in the role was July 13.
Jim Diegel will take over serving as interim superintendent, a role he held prior to Murphy.
“Oregon State Hospital is a uniquely complex and important institution. It requires strong, trusted, accountable leadership, particularly given the needs of patients, families, employees, and the public,” an email from the Oregon Health Authority reads.
Officials from the health authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The latest change comes on the heels of the abrupt resignation of the head of the Oregon Health Authority. Sejal Hathi stepped down as leader of the agency on Aug. 1. The state hospital has also experienced significant turnover in recent years.
The governor’s interim leader of the agency, Fairborz Pakseresht, a longtime veteran of state government, was chosen as interim director of OHA on July 6. Pakseresht had retired from overseeing the state’s Oregon Department of Human Services in July 2025. It was his decision to fire Murphy, according to the email.
