Terrell State Hospital Chief Quits Following East Texan’s Death

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – The superintendent of a Dallas-area state mental hospital where a review found an East Texas woman died amid poor medical care has resigned. The Austin American-Statesman reports Dr. Joe Finch quit as superintendent of Terrell State Hospital. Carrie Williams with the Department of State Health Services said Friday that the departure gives the agency an opportunity to focus on evaluating the hospital and making improvements. A recent report from the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services says Ann Simmons died in February 2012 of a pulmonary embolism. The 62-year-old Pittsburg woman was held in restraints for 55 hours. The report concluded Simmons didn’t get proper care. Finch couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Saturday. Jay Norwood with the state’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services was named acting superintendent.