Former St. Charles president-CEO James Diegel named interim Oregon State Hospital superintendent
Barney Lerten
SALEM. Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Health Authority announced Wednesday it has hired former St. Charles Health System President and CEO James Diegel as the interim superintendent for Oregon State Hospital. His first day will be June 4.
Diegel will take over from Acting Superintendent Dave Baden, OHA deputy director of policy and programs, who has served in the interim role since April 14.
“Jim brings years of expertise, skill and compassion as a hospital administrator in Oregon, Hawaii and Washington, D.C., and has valued experience working with regulatory agencies like The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and The Joint Commission,” said OHA Interim Director Kris Kautz.
“I am confident he will lead the hospital through the ongoing CMS survey process with successful results, as well as continue to build off the work plan Dave has started and continue to help the OSH team ensure that all patients receive the care they deserve in a safe environment,” Kautz added
Diegel was president and CEO of St. Charles for eight years before stepping down in 2014. The Lund Report noted that Diegel helped facilitate the merger of the Bend and Redmond hospitals in 2001, and oversaw the health system’s strategy and growth to include facilities in Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras.
And Oregon Live/The Oregonian pointed out Diegel is the third interim superintendent of the state’s struggling psychiatric hospital in just over a year.
OHA said the recruitment process for a permanent superintendent is ongoing. It said Diegel’s role as interim director will enable the hospital and its staff to continue executing steps laid out by Acting Superintendent Dave Baden. Baden will continue his role as OHA deputy director.