statehospitalBISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota Department of Human Services Executive Director Maggie Anderson has appointed Rosalie Etherington, Ph.D., as North Dakota State Hospital Superintendent. In this role, Etherington is responsible for oversight of business and clinical operations for the hospital.

Etherington brings 22 years of experience in quality management, program development, and expertise in operationalizing regulations and requirements in a behavioral health setting. She is currently the Clinical Director for Inpatient Services at the North Dakota State Hospital.

“Dr. Etherington’s experience will ensure the State Hospital, as part of the state’s public behavioral health system, continues to partner with stakeholders to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment,” said Anderson.

Etherington has worked for the department for 20 years serving in multiple clinical and administrative roles. She has a doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in program development. She is a native of Center, N.D.

Alex C. Schweitzer, who has been the superintendent of the North Dakota State Hospital since 1995 and the statewide human service center director overseeing the eight regional centers since December 2011, is retiring May 31.

The 304-bed North Dakota State Hospital provides short-term acute inpatient psychiatric and substance abuse treatment, intermediate psycho-social rehabilitation services, forensic services, and safety net services for adults. The hospital also provides residential addiction treatment services for adults referred to the Tompkins Rehabilitation and Corrections Center (TRCC) by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR). The hospital has a secure services unit that provides inpatient evaluation and treatment services for sexually dangerous individuals.