OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The CEO of Washington state’s largest psychiatric hospital announced Tuesday that he plans to retire next month. David Holt spent five years at the embattled Western State Hospital, serving as CEO for three of those years. The 857-bed facility lost its certification and federal funding in 2018 after repeatedly failing health and safety inspections. It also has struggled with assaults. Department of Social and Health Services Secretary Cheryl Strange says Holt led safety initiatives to reduce assaults by 8.7% in 2020. Holt’s last day will be May 7. An interim CEO will be appointed in the next few days while a search for a permanent replacement is conducted.
Western State Hospital CEO to retire in May
