History
Sheppard Pratt Health System has been improving the quality of life in our community by providing mental health, special education, and substance use services for more than 161 years. While our treatments and therapies have always been modern and ahead of their time, our patient-centered approach and compassionate care has remained the same since we first opened our doors in 1891. Our founder, Moses Sheppard, envisioned an institution that treated patients with respect and dignity, with a window in each room and soothing grounds to look at through that window. Learn more about our founder, Moses Sheppard.
This vision was also shared by Enoch Pratt, a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who left an endowment for The Sheppard Asylum upon his death in 1896. Learn more about our second benefactor, Enoch Pratt.
More than 160 years later, Sheppard Pratt Health System continues to carry out Sheppard's dream to provide compassionate care to help people with mental illness heal. Today, Sheppard Pratt is Maryland’s largest provider of mental health, special education, and substance use services, helping more than 70,000 individuals annually. Learn more about the Sheppard Pratt of today.
