Health
RIDOH Director Stars in Community Theater While Respiratory Concerns Sweep Hospitals
Friday, January 24, 2025
In the past week, both Lifespan/Brown Healthcare and CharterCARE hospitals have been required to mask due to the spread of a number of respiratory illnesses.
Overall respiratory illness activity — including flu, COVID-19 and RSV — continues to be listed as “high” nationwide.
This is putting strain on hospital’s emergency rooms as the outbreaks are causing people to seek healthcare “at a high level,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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While this is taking place, Rhode Island’s Director of Health is off to perform on the stage.
Jerome Larkin is starring in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons at The Little Theater of Fall River. He was named health director just 10 months ago by Governor Dan McKee.
Questions are being raised about whether this is the time to be starring on the stage. Elected and appointed officials have had their share of distractions from presidents who play golf or basketball.
Larkin Takes Advantage of “Hybrid Schedule”
The Theatre describes the play as All My Sons, a poignant drama by Arthur Miller that explores the complex interplay of family loyalty, morality, and the consequences of one’s actions. Set in the aftermath of World War II, the play centers on Joe Keller, a businessman whose decisions during the war have haunted him and his family. As secrets unravel and the truth about his past comes to light, the Kellers are forced to confront the emotional and ethical ramifications of their choices.”
Larkin stars in the lead role of Joe Keller. The play opened on Thursday night.
RIDOH employees, asking for anonymity due to fear of retribution, claim that Larkin has repeatedly left the office to attend rehearsals at the Fall River theater.
“Dr. Larkin is involved in community theater outside of business hours, in the evening. He has not missed any work because of this play,” said Joseph Wendelken, spokesman for RIDOH.
“Like many RIDOH employees, Dr. Larkin works a hybrid schedule. He does some meetings and some work from his RIDOH office, and other meetings and work from his home office. Additionally, some in-person meetings and events happen at locations other than the Department of Health. As an agency director, Dr. Larkin regularly works outside of normal business hours in addition to the time he logs during the business day,” added Wendelken.
Larkin’s salary is $250,000. He is Governor Dan McKee’s fifth Director of Health in four years.
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