Former mental hospital director gets new state job
Dr. Patsy Christian, former director of the new Central Regional Hospital in Butner, will still be in the state health department, a little over a week after she stepped down amid controversy over money for a portrait of herself.
Posted — Updated
Dr. Patsy Christian resigned on June 11 after it was revealed that she had used $572 in state funds to commission a portrait of herself to hang in Central Regional Hospital.
Christian has been assigned a new position in the state hospital system, working to improve quality management of nurse training. Her new salary will be more than $114,000 – about $5,000 less than she made as hospital director.
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dempsey Benton has ordered a state investigation into Christian's portrait. No state funds will be used to pay for the portrait, he said.
Benton said Christian's departure will not delay the opening of Central Regional, which will replace Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh and John Umstead Hospital in Butner.
Its opening has already been delayed several times due to concerns over patient safety and employee training.
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
