Umstead Hospital head resigns

The head of John Umstead Hospital is stepping down.

Patsy Christian, who faced criticism for commissioning a portrait of herself with state money and problems with patient abuse, is resigning as executive director, according to a release from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Serivces.

She will still work at the department, according to Secretary Dempsey Benton.

"We are appreciative of her dedication to serving the consumers in the state psychiatric hospitals over the years and her commitment to developing the plans to operate the new Central Regional Hospital," he said in a statement. "The state will greatly benefit from her continued involvement in the management of the hospitals."

Dr. Michael Lancaster, a board-certified child adolescent psychiatrist, will serve as interim director of the mental hospital.