TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The interim superintendent of the Kansas Neurological Institute in Topeka has been promoted to the fulltime position, effective immediately.

Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services Secretary Shawn Sullivan announced Monday that Brent Widick will lead the state hospital in Topeka.

Widick was named interim superintendent in December 2013 when previous superintendent Barney Hubert retired. Widick was KNI’s program director from 2007 through 2013.

The neurological institute has more than 300 staff, who provide residential and psychological care services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are 145 residents at the institute.

Widick formerly worked for five years at the former Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, known now as the Department for Children and Families.