Salem-News.com Oregon State Hospital articles

Police Seek Information on Escaped Forensic Patient from Oregon State Hospital

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the patient is asked to call Oregon State Police at 800-452-7888 or a local law enforcement agency.

(SALEM) - A 38-year-old forensic patient was reported on unauthorized leave Wednesday night from Oregon State Hospital after he scaled a fence on the Salem campus.

The patient, Gino Pudlisi, was reported missing at about 8:25 p.m. after he escaped while walking through a fenced area between a gymnasium and an outdoor
exercise area.

Oregon State Hospital Seeks to Fix Nursing Shortage

Gov. Kulongoski and legislators are considering a 620-bed state hospital in the Portland-Salem area, a 360-bed hospital south of Linn County, and at least two 16-bed facilities east of the Cascades.

(SALEM) - A group of nursing professionals is advising the Oregon Department of Human Services on how to encourage more nursing students to prepare for psychiatric-nursing jobs at Oregon State Hospital, which is chronically short of nurses.

The workgroup is one of four that Bob Nikkel, DHS assistant director for addictions and mental health services, has named to help the state plan for a new state hospital and a strengthened community mental health system.

The Governor, meanwhile, is recommending increasing capacity in Oregon nursing education in his 2007-09 Hope and Opportunity Budget.

Oregon Fugitive Located in Washington

He is being held for Oregon authorities by the Chelan County Regional Justice Center

(WENATCHEE, Wash.) - Oregon State Police have received information that a Oregon State Hospital forensic patient who fled from hospital staff late Wednesday afternoon in the Salem area has been located and is detained in Wenatchee, Washington.

23-year old Thaddeus W. Ziemlak was located in Wenatchee, Washington. According to information from Wenatchee Police Department, at about 8:00 PM they responded to the report of an assault near railroad tracks in their city. Upon arrival, they located the victim who was subsequently identified as Ziemlak.

Run Away Convict Spotted In Washington

An unaware good samaritan may have given the fugitive a ride

(SALEM) - Oregon State Police have received information that a 23-year-old Oregon State Hospital forensic patient who fled from hospital staff late Wednesday afternoon in the Salem area may be in central Washington.

Thaddeus Ziemlak was admitted to the hospital after being found guilty of murder except for insanity following the shooting death of his mother in 2004.

On November 8th, 2006 Ziemlak ran from State Hospital staff at about 4:45 PM while he and a staff member were visiting a store in the 2200 block of Lancaster Drive N.E. in Salem, Oregon.

On November 9th, a man matching his description named "Thad from Salem" was given a ride and dropped off in Klickitat County along Highway 14 near milepost 79.

Oregon State Hospital Patient Sought by Police

Ziemlak was admitted to the hospital from Lane County on Sept. 14th, 2004, after being found guilty of murder except for insanity.

(SALEM) - State and local police agencies have been notified that a 23-year-old Oregon State Hospital forensic patient fled from hospital staff late Wednesday afternoon while on an approved pass.

Hospital officials said Thaddeus W. Ziemlak ran at about 4:45 PM while he and a staff member were visiting a store in the 2200 block of Lancaster Drive N.E. in Salem.

Patient Reported on Unauthorized Leave from State Hospital`s Salem Campus (UPDATE)

UPDATE... The patient who had been on unauthorized leave from Oregon State Hospital's Salem campus since Sunday has voluntarily returned to the hospital, officials said Tuesday afternoon.

(SALEM) - A 25-year-old civilly committed patient remained at large Sunday afternoon after being reported on unauthorized leave while on an overnight pass to visit his mother in north Portland.

Meanwhile, a second patient on unauthorized leave since last weekend from the State Hospital's Portland campus has been returned. 18-year old Joshua Kuns, who had been civilly committed in May from Washington County, was returned late Saturday night by Tigard police.

Patients at State Hospital Gain Support Through Foundation Grants

(SALEM) - From musical instruments to aquarium fish, nearly $9,500 in newly awarded Oregon State Hospital Foundation grants will benefit patients on the hospital's Salem and Portland campuses.

The awards bring to more than $87,000 the amount the foundation has donated to benefit patients since 1993. This year's $9,494, divided among 17 projects, is the largest ever.

"Our goal is to promote excellence in mental health services and to improve the quality of life for State Hospital patients," said foundation president Dorothy
Haun of Salem, a registered nurse who was unit director on a forensic ward until her 1999 retirement.

DEQ Issues Fine to Oregon State Hospital For Two Asbestos Violations

The violations stemmed from a January 2006 excavation project in which new underground pipelines were installed on the hospital grounds and the new pipelines were to be laid beneath the existing old, asbestos-covered pipelines.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has hit the Oregon State Hospital in Salem with a $10,200, fine for two asbestos violations.

On January 18th, DEQ received a call from the hospital’s asbestos coordinator about possible mishandling of asbestos-containing material at the excavation site.

DEQ staff inspected the site that day and learned that the original work plan called for excavating the area around the old water pipelines...