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June 17, 2026
Contact: Marsha Sills, marsha.sills@oha.oregon.gov, 971-240-3344
Oregon Health Authority names new Oregon State Hospital superintendent
(Salem, Ore.) – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Sejal Hathi, M.D., MBA, has announced the hiring of Sean Murphy as the new superintendent of Oregon State Hospital (OSH) following a national recruitment effort.
Murphy brings to OSH three decades of executive leadership experience in behavioral health, healthcare operations, public safety and large-scale government administration.
Pictured: Sean Murphy
“Sean is a collaborative and results-driven leader who has the experience to continue the momentum gained by current leadership in creating lasting change at OSH,” Hathi said. “He shares OHA’s vision for OSH: delivering safe, compassionate, patient-centered care while building a high-performing organization positioned to meet Oregon’s behavioral health needs.”
Murphy most recently served as deputy assistant secretary for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, where he oversaw major investments to transform Washington’s behavioral health system and provided executive oversight of administrative, financial, operational, and services supporting millions of Washington residents. He also previously served as assistant secretary of Washington’s Behavioral Health Administration and was responsible for the oversight of all state psychiatric hospitals in Washington. Murphy also spent time as the deputy CEO at Western State Hospital in Washington.
Throughout his career, Murphy has led large, complex healthcare and behavioral health organizations through periods of operational, clinical, and organizational transformation, with a focus on patient care, workforce development, safety and accountability.
“Public service is about improving lives and building systems people can trust, with people who deeply care about the work,” Murphy said. “I am honored to join OSH and work alongside the dedicated employees, patients, families, labor partners, community providers, and partners who are committed to advancing behavioral healthcare in Oregon. Together, we will build on the hospital’s strengths, support our workforce, and continue improving outcomes for the people we serve.”
Murphy’s first day will be Monday, July 13. Jim Diegel will continue to serve as interim superintendent until then and then will stay on for four weeks in an advisory capacity to provide support to Murphy as he transitions into the role. Like any new OSH employee, Murphy will participate in the hospital’s orientation, which offers an introduction to the hospital’s mission, including overviews of patient populations, safety and regulatory compliance and introductions to the leadership team.
“For the past year, Interim Superintendent Diegel has helped stabilize the leadership at OSH and advance efforts to improve safety, clinical excellence, operational discipline and accountability throughout the organization. His commitment to OSH’s success has been invaluable, and he’ll ensure a seamless transition during this important leadership shift,” Hathi said.
Murphy holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington, a Bachelor of Business Administration, and has an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
"Central City Concern congratulates Mr. Murphy and the Oregon Health Authority for recruiting a seasoned leader who has a strong history of behavioral health system transformation,” said Andy Mendenhall, president and chief executive officer of Central City Concern. “The transformation journey for the Oregon State Hospital is one Murphy has successfully led within Washington. He clearly understands success at OSH is foundational for broader Behavioral Health systems change across Oregon."
"I anticipate Mr. Murphy will use some of the same skills I watched former OSH Superintendent Greg Roberts use while I was serving on the OSH Advisory Board: listening to concerns and taking action, strengthening partnerships with community based providers, and making decisions with an eye towards the entire continuum of care in Oregon," said Silas Halloran-Steiner, Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs policy consultant.
[Media note – Murphy will not be available for interviews today.]
About OSH
Oregon State Hospital (OSH), a division of Oregon Health Authority (OHA), works to provide patient-centered psychiatric treatment for adults with mental illness from throughout the state. The hospital’s primary goal is to help patients achieve a level of functioning that allows them to successfully transition back to the community. With two campuses, one in Salem and one in Junction City, OSH employs more than 2,700 people and served more than 1,800 unique patients in 2025.
OSH must follow federal and state hospital licensing laws. OSH is certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and is accredited by The Joint Commission. OSH provides the highest level of care in the most restrictive environment within the behavioral health continuum of care for persons committed from across Oregon’s 36 counties. OSH serves a broad patient population, including many people with co-occurring disorders, those impacted by structural racism and social injustice, and disproportionally represented in the criminal justice system.
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