December 15, 1997  - SRS Secretary appoints Day, Sage, to new positions

Topeka, Kansas-SRS Secretary Rochelle Chronister announced today that Robert Day, Ph.D., currently superintendent, Kansas Neurological Institute, Topeka, since February 1989, will become Deputy Commissioner, Institutional Services and Quality Enhancement, Commission on Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities, early next year.  Hugh Sage, Ph.D., formerly commissioner, MH&DD, will assume duties as Acting Superintendent, KNI.

Mrs. Chronister said she is pleased to be able to take advantage of the experience that both Day and Sage bring to their new positions.  "Both Bob Day and Hugh Sage bring a wealth of experience to their new jobs.  For some time, we have wanted to focus the efforts of a deputy commissioner on quality enhancement and innovative practices across the state institutions.  Bob Day will do that for us.  Also, we can continue to use Hugh Sage's experience, especially his 15 years as superintendent of a similar facility in Beatrice, Nebraska.  We are fortunate to be able to fit both their talents and experience into these two very important and demanding positions."

Dr. Day said he leaves KNI "...already missing the great staff and residents I have worked with for the past eight years.  Through their efforts, we have accomplished many good things.  I am, however, pleased to be able to take my background and experience to a new level, working with the state hospitals in areas such as quality enhancement and innovative practices."

"KNI has always had an excellent reputation," said Dr. Sage. "We knew of their work when I was in Nebraska, and am looking forward to - and consider it a privilege - to join the KNI family."

Sage will assume his new duties on January 5, 1998. Day will move to his new job in February, when he return for a temporary assignment at the federal Health Care Financing Administration. where he is working on issues relating to financing of long term care for vulnerable populations.