New TSH Superintendent Appointed

Denise Bell
Post Managing Editor

July 7, 2008

Dr. Joe Finch was recently appointed Superintendent of Terrell State Hospital (TSH) by Kenny Dudley, Director of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Beginning his new duties on July 1st, Dr. Finch was promoted from his position as Assistant TSH Superintendent, taking over the TSH helm from recently retired Superintendent, Fred Hale.

Graciously consenting to an interview with The Forney Post, Dr. Finch openly and honestly discussed the 123 year-old state mental hospital, along with his career and opinion of the care administered to the patients of Terrell State Hospital.

Having joined the staff of TSH in 1988 as an interning psychologist, Dr. Finch has throughout his twenty year career been repeatedly promoted and has served as a ward and treatment supervising psychologist, contributing to several treatment programs, and as the TSH Director of Psychology, respectively.

Discussing his career and education, Dr. Finch explained how he first graduated from Baylor University in Waco with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and then continued his education by earning a Master of Arts in clinical psychology at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches.

Realizing his preference for working directly with mental health patients, Dr. Finch continued his education, earning a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Baylor University while simultaneously becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Soft spoken and refreshingly honest, Dr. Finch openly expressed his opinion of the advances and improved quality of care within TSH. Having spent many years treating TSH patients, Dr. Finch stated his appreciation for the dedicated staff of doctors, nurses, and employees at the state operated facility.

Stating that "the hospital stays at 97 or 98 percent of capacity" and that the patients admitted generally stay only for "short term stabilization," Dr. Finch explained that TSH is the second oldest state operated mental hospital in Texas. And that its age often presents "challenges" in maintaining the historic buildings especially considering new and forever changing governmental codes.

Providing full-time, in-patient mental health care to 316 patients, a small percentage of which have been mandated for evaluation by Texas Courts and or Child Protective Services, the staff of TSH stays constantly vigilant and attentive to the needs of its patients and to the campus in which they live.

Monitored grounds are scenic and picturesque with fields of historic pecan trees, a small chapel, and beautifully manicured gardens with plants and flowers. TSH provides its patients with the latest in mental health care and is as clean and sanitary as any Texas hospital, even considering that several buildings within the historic campus are closed to hospital usage due to aging conditions.

While discussing changes to the historic hospital campus, Dr. Finch explained that the TSH water fountain located within the circular drive garden at the hospitals main entrance and the TSH water tower located at the rear of the campus were the only original pieces of construction left from the 1885 TSH campus.

And then he happily reported that the TSH Ground and Maintenance Crews recently restored the original TSH water fountain to working condition. Updating plumbing and painting the classic three tier water fountain, the 123 year old THS water fountain has been brought back to life for the enjoyment of TSH patients and staff.