The top official at Larned State Hospital has resigned after eight months leading the state’s largest psychiatric facility.

Christopher Burke joined the staff at the central Kansas facility in 2005. He was director of the sexual predator treatment program before being named superintendent last fall by then-Secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services Rob Siedlecki.

Current SRS Secretary Phyllis Gilmore said Monday that Burke was leaving for other career opportunities.

Gilmore named Thomas Kinlen interim director. Kinlen has been on the Larned staff since 2003, serving as director of psychology since 2008.

Kansas lawmakers have approved funding increases for the hospital to help ease difficulties in recruiting doctors, nurses and other staff.