Rochelle Chronister, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, today announced the appointment of Randy Proctor as Superintendent of Topeka State Hospital, Topeka.

Chronister said the excellent job Proctor has done as acting superintendent at Topeka State made him the top choice to fill the position on a permanent basis. Proctor has been acting superintendent since June, 1994. Prior to that, he was Director of Mental Health in the SRS Commission of Mental Health and Retardation Services.

Just last week, Topeka State Hospital passed an annual certification by the federal Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). The federal agency checks staffing and medical records during the surveys, and Topeka State was found in compliance on both counts. It is the first time since 1988 the hospital has been in compliance in both survey areas. In 1988, Topeka State Hospital lost accreditation because of a failed survey, and just last year, the hospital was found out of compliance concerning staffing.

One of Proctor's jobs during his tenure as acting superintendent was to bring staffing levels into compliance with the federal government.

To accomplish compliance shows excellent leadership," Chronister said.

Randy is well respected throughout the field of mental health and has provided excellent leadership."

Proctor has been with SRS since 1987, starting as a planning administrator in the Mental Health and Retardation Services Commission. He moved up to a position as director of Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services. He was named director of Mental Health in 1992.

Proctor is the principal author of two important studies that helped lead to the adoption by the Kansas Legislature of Mental Health Reform in Kansas, the Governor's Task Force on Mental Health Reform report and the Kansas Plan for a Comprehensive Community-Based Mental Health System. A number of studies have shown mental health reform has been very successful, allowing adults with mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance problems to live independently and productively to the fullest extent possible.

The screening and diversion services to improve access to community care and prevent unnecessary hospitalization was the centerpiece of Mental Health Reform," Chronister said. Randy was an important part of creating the new system."

Prior to coming to Kansas, Proctor was the Unit Director of the New Hampshire Hospital, Division of Mental Health/Developmental Services for nine years. He has a bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, San Francisco, and a Masters of Social Work degree from Florida State University.

Proctor and his wife Janice live in Lawrence. They have two sons, Zachary and Jeremy.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001