For nearly two centuries, Sheppard Pratt has been transforming lives through compassionate mental health care, special education, and community support services. Founded in 1853 by Moses Sheppard with a revolutionary vision to treat individuals with mental illness with dignity and respect, the organization has grown into the nation's largest private, nonprofit provider of behavioral health services. Today, Sheppard Pratt serves over 80,000 people annually across 160+ programs in 16 Maryland counties, consistently ranked as a top psychiatric hospital by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years.
What began with Moses Sheppard's $571,441 bequest - then the largest ever made to mental health - has evolved into a comprehensive system of care that addresses the full spectrum of behavioral health needs. From inpatient psychiatric hospitals and residential treatment centers to outpatient mental health clinics, special education schools, and community-based services, Sheppard Pratt meets individuals wherever they are in their journey. The organization's world-class research institute drives innovation in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and psychosis through cutting-edge clinical trials and therapeutic approaches, ensuring that every patient receives care grounded in the latest scientific advancements while honoring the founder's core values: to meet a need, to lead, to care, and to respect.
