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This space in the next edition of Recovery Times will be filled with a message from Sean Murphy, who becomes Oregon State Hospital’s next superintendent on July 13.
You can learn more about Sean in this edition of Recovery Times, which also features a patient account of how woodworking has shaped their recovery and an interview with a nurse who chose OSH after her clinical rotation here.
In the past 13 months, I have been privileged to serve as interim superintendent. I’ve witnessed the deep dedication of OSH caregivers and believe in the work they are doing to create lasting change that prioritizes clinical excellence for patients and safety for all at OSH.
I’m excited for the future of OSH and will remain an advocate for the people who receive and provide care here.
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Sean Murphy, a healthcare leader with three decades of executive leadership experience joins OSH as its new superintendent on July 13.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Sejal Hathi, M.D., MBA, announced the hiring earlier this month.
“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 brings experience in behavioral health, healthcare operations, public safety, and large-scale government administration. He most recently served as the 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.
Murphy is ready to work with the OSH team and partners.
“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,” he said. “Together, we will build on the hospital’s strengths, support our workforce, and continue improving outcomes for the people we serve.”
Learn more about Murphy in the full news release.
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Building skills and confidence is a goal of the Vocational Services program at Oregon State Hospital. Through the program, patients learn skills in paid jobs that prepare them for their next steps after they are discharged. The goal is to not only teach skills, but to build confidence.
At OSH, patients have the opportunity to gain skills in various paid job opportunities, like building furniture and planters, caring for the hospital grounds and greenhouse plants and food service and cashier roles.
In a short video, a patient shares the impact of the opportunity to expand his skills as part of his job in the OSH woodshop: “Not everybody has a job in here. So, it helps to show me that I’m on my way to feeling better, getting better, being trusted again, and that much closer to being able to get back out into the community and reintegrate."
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As a nursing student, Maggie Garcia had a clinical rotation at OSH and decided it was the place for her when she was seeking her first nursing job three years ago.
As a Mental Health Registered Nurse, Maggie works directly with patients on a daily basis and recently shared her reflections on being an OSH nurse as part of the hospital’s Nursing Week observance in May.
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What does being a nurse mean to you?
Being a nurse means being able to help the community and make a difference. It might take time but putting in the work and showing up for our patients makes a difference.
How has working at OSH shaped you as a nurse or as a person?
Working at OSH has shaped the way I view mental health. Mental health is a common struggle that shows up in many ways. Recovery is not the same for everyone and it’s not a straight line. We are all humans and small one-on-one moments make a difference. We build trust, safety and patients feel heard.
What advice would you give to someone considering psychiatric nursing?
Get experience outside of the hospital, possibly group homes, recovery centers. It will help build communication skills and get experience on different kinds of mental health, treatment and possible medications.
If you weren’t a nurse, what would you be doing?
Growing up I wanted to be a cosmetic surgeon, but that’s too much school. But if I wasn’t a nurse, I would be in real estate. I like working with people, and honestly, that was my plan B if nursing didn’t work out. I don’t see myself doing anything else outside of nursing.
Who has been a mentor or inspiration in your nursing career?
Growing up I knew I wanted to go into the medical field; my dad was a big motivator and always cheered me on. I was here at OSH as a nursing student, and my preceptor was the type of nurse I knew I wanted to be. She taught me a lot, was active with her patients and listened to staff.
Anything else you would like us to know?
I started at OSH as a new grad and don’t regret it.
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OSH Volunteer Services’ Summer Sunshine donations drive is in full swing to help patients both during their stay and as they discharge from the hospital.
“Many patients may not have a support system outside of the hospital, so every donation makes an impact in encouraging them in their recovery,” said OSH Volunteer Services Director Ryan Stafford.
Donations like backpacks or duffle-style bags help patients who are being discharged transition back into their community. Items like art supplies, games, puzzles, and magazines help broaden patients’ access to engagement materials.
“These items play a crucial role in the recovery and well-being of our patients, offering them comfort, engagement, and a sense of normalcy during their stay and beyond,” Stafford said.
A few years ago, Volunteer Services created an Amazon registry page to make donating easier and also curate a list of approved items that align with the hospital’s safety requirements. New and gently used items purchased elsewhere are welcome and screened to ensure they meet safety requirements.
Volunteer Services accepts donations from the public throughout the year and organizes two drives -- the Summer Sunshine drive and the Caring Tree during the winter holidays.
Hospital employees are major contributors to the donation drives, Stafford said.
“Their generosity is the backbone of our efforts,” he said. “They give so much every day to provide the best care possible, and their generosity is an extension of the kindness, compassion and dedication they give daily to patients.”
Want to help? Here are the current needs and ways to support the Summer Sunshine Donation Drive
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Backpacks: These items are essential for patients being discharged, providing them with a dignified way to carry personal items and care materials. New or gently used. Duffle style bags are also needed/beneficial.
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Art supplies: Non-toxic paints and glues, crayons (no pens, please), construction or origami paper, and general craft items to support therapeutic art projects.
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Cards - greeting/note/playing: Blank, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Birthday, Thinking of you, and playing cards (standard 52 cards, UNO, pinochle, etc.)
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Puzzles/books/games: Including word puzzles, number puzzles like Sudoku, crossword books, pocket dictionaries, and other similar activities to stimulate minds and provide relaxation.
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Magazines: New or gently used magazines are a welcome diversion in common areas. Popular magazine examples include those on general topics like: cars, motorcycles, bicycles, news and current events, sports, fitness, running, animals, birds, biking, hiking and camping, crafts, hobbies, plants and gardening, music, fashion and beauty. Gently used magazines are often utilized for various art projects.
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Visit the OSH Volunteer Services Amazon registry page to view a curated list of current needs for ideas or to make a purchase that is shipped directly to Volunteer Services. Donations of Amazon gift cards may also be made through the registry page.
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Drop donations (items or monetary contributions via checks payable to OSH Volunteer Services or cash) off at Reception (lobby) areas of either campus: 2600 Center St. NE, Salem; or 29398 Recovery Way, Junction City. Tax receipts are available upon request.
- Share the link to the curated list and let others know about the Summer Sunshine drive
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Each Recovery Times shares stories of Oregon Health Authority's work to strengthen the behavioral health continuum throughout Oregon.
New Café in Burns offers a fresh start to those in recovery
Fresh Start Café in Burns is more than a place to grab a meal - it's a place where lives are being rebuilt. Supported by $700,000 in Behavioral Health Resource Network (BHRN) funding, the café provides people in recovery with meaningful work, valuable job skills and a supportive community. Through connection and purpose individuals are finding a path forward while giving back to Harney County.
Here’s a video that shares how Fresh Start Café is creating hope and employment for those recovering from substance use disorder.
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Building hope and strengthening recovery for Central Oregon’s Latino community
Construction is now underway on a new Latino-focused residential treatment center in Madras. The BestCare Treatment Services center, located at 316 NW Fourth Street, will offer 16 beds and expand access to substance use disorder treatment for the growing Latino community in Central Oregon.
The new facility will provide care with respect to Latino culture and language.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) provided $1.9 million in funding for the project. This investment supports efforts to reduce long-standing gaps in behavioral health services for Latino communities across the state.
“This investment reflects Oregon’s commitment to ensuring communities can access treatment that is culturally responsive and grounded in dignity and belonging,” said Ebony Clarke, director of OHA’s Behavioral Health Division. “Programs like this help remove barriers to care and create pathways to recovery that honor culture, language, and family connection.”
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The OSH Museum of Mental Health shares the stories of Oregon State Hospital and the people who have lived and worked there.
It is an independent, nonprofit organization located on the grounds of the Salem hospital. It is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
Learn more at https://oshmuseum.org.
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The Recovery Times is a quarterly publication that shares stories about the people and programs of Oregon State Hospital in support of OSH’s vision of hope, safety and recovery for all.
OSH serves a patient population that is traditionally marginalized, stigmatized and underserved, including many people with co-occurring disorders and those impacted by structural racism, and disproportionally represented in the criminal justice system.
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If you need mental health support for any reason, help is out there. |
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