Minnesota Names Marshall Smith As New Chief For Mental Health Facilities

Marshall Smith, a longtime private hospital executive and health care consultant, has been named chief executive of direct care and treatment at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, considered one of the most difficult assignments in state government. Smith, who took over last month, will oversee two of the state’s largest mental hospitals, a network of seven smaller, short-term psychiatric hospitals, and state-operated treatment programs for people with drug or alcohol addictions. Together, these facilities employ about 1,800 staff and serve about 3,800 people. He will report to Nancy Johnston, deputy commissioner of direct care . . .