The agency is already down its mental health director for the Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital, after Dr. K.C.R. Nair's sudden resignation in April. Nair had been on the job just six months.

Rosin, who was instrumental in opening the 190-bed Rawson-Neal hospital and in hiring staff for the facility, was based in Southern Nevada.

"We need to have two full-time medical directors to open those 22 beds,'' said Carlos Brandenburg, administrator of the state's mental health division. "The Legislature gave us the staffing to bring on more doctors and nurses for those additional beds. They were to open October 1. But not having Dr. Rosin around to help me recruit, we may not be able to open those beds.''

Brandenburg said it could take six to nine months to hire Rosin's replacement. The department is currently conducting a nationwide search for Nair's position.

Rosin, who has been with the division since 1995, is relocating to New York as executive deputy commissioner for the city's Division of Mental Hygiene.

"I am really torn because I'm really happy for David (Rosin),'' Brandenburg said. "But it is sad for us because he is a very important figurehead. He is the statewide medical director, and that is going to be a big void I am going to have to fill in Las Vegas.''

The Rawson-Neal facility, at Oakey and Jones boulevards, is the in-patient component of Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services. It opened last year and was lauded as a key component in alleviating the psychiatric bed shortage in the Las Vegas Valley.

There are 190 beds at the location and SNAMHS has another 26 psychiatric beds at its old facility on West Charleston. The additional 22 beds will be opened at that facility, Brandenburg said.

As a whole, the Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services is in need of psychiatric nurses and psychiatrists, Brandenburg said. Most of those openings are in Southern Nevada.

Rawson-Neal is short 36 nurses. Another 16 nurses would need to be hired to open the 22 additional beds, Rosin said.

Rosin said the move is in large part because of his wife's recent illness and a need to be closer to family.

"All of our family, grandchildren and children, are on the East Coast, and she has always hoped to get back there,'' he said. "When this job opened, I had to jump on it. We are going to miss Nevada but it is time for us to go. We are both looking forward to this next step on the journey.''

Rosin's last day is July 31.