RIDOH director performs in community theater as respiratory problems sweep hospitals

Friday January 24, 2025

GoLocalProv News Team

Over the past week, Lifespan/Brown Healthcare and CharterCARE hospitals have been required to wear masks due to the spread of a number of respiratory illnesses.

Overall respiratory disease activity – including influenza, COVID-19 and RSV – continues to be classified as “high” nationally.

That’s straining hospital emergency rooms as outbreaks push people to seek health care “at a high level,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Meanwhile, Rhode Island’s health director heads out to perform.

Jerome Larkin stars in Arthur Miller’s film All my sons at the Little Theater in Fall River. He was named health director just 10 months ago by Gov. Dan McKee.

Questions arise as to whether now is the time to perform on stage. Elected and appointed officials have had their share of distractions from presidents playing golf or basketball.

Larkin benefits from “hybrid schedule”

The Theater describes the play as All my sonsa poignant drama from Arthur Miller that explores the complex interplay between 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 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 Thursday evening.

RIDOH employees, requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation, say Larkin left the office several times to attend rehearsals at the Fall River theater.

“Dr. Larkin participates in community theater after hours, in the evenings. He has not missed any work because of this play,” said Joseph Wendelken, RIDOH spokesperson.

“Like many RIDOH employees, Dr. Larkin works a hybrid schedule. He schedules some meetings and works from his RIDOH office, and other meetings and works from his home office. Additionally, some in-person meetings and events “are taking place in locations other than the Department of Health. As an agency director, Dr. Larkin regularly works outside of normal working hours in addition to the time he logs during the business day,” Wendelken added. .

Larkin’s salary is $250,000. He is Gov. Dan McKee’s fifth health director in four years.

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