Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Shawn Sullivan announced Monday he has appointed Dr. Tom Kinlen to be the new superintendent of Larned State Hospital. Dr. Kinlen has served as interim superintendent since May.

Kinlen assumes the role of superintendent after having served as Larned’s Director of Psychology since 2008; as the psychology supervisor for the Psychiatric Services Program; and as the Director of Clinical Training.

The hospital reached a milestone in mid-October, when a surveyor with The Joint Commission conducted a follow-up survey at Larned and reported no deficiencies.  Larned State Hospital also passed a Kansas Department for Health and the Environment Survey this fall.

A new 30-patient forensics unit is scheduled to open December 31.