Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Sheppard Pratt Health System, is being recognized by Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living for his important contributions to the field of psychiatry throughout his esteemed career.
Sharfstein, who will be retiring June 30 of this year, has spent more than three decades with Sheppard Pratt Health System, including 25 years as president and CEO. During this time, he led Sheppard Pratt’s transformation from a single, free-standing hospital to the largest non-profit, private provider of mental health services in the country. He is nationally recognized for his work in psychiatry; is the former president of the American Psychiatric Association; has held several positions with the National Institute of Mental Health including director of the Mental Health Service Programs; and has held positions with the National Institutes of Health.
During his tenure, Sharfstein has influenced change on several significant issues affecting psychiatry and the nation. This includes halting psychiatrist involvement in the interrogations of imprisoned terrorist suspects in the prisons at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after visiting the prison and deeming it unethical; backing same-sex marriage due to the mental health problems that can result from officials not allowing this right; and educating our public on a national stage about the safety and effectiveness of psychiatric drugs in swift response to Tom Cruise’s condemnation of them under Scientology’s influence.
Sharfstein was nominated by Desmond Kaplan, M.D., medical director of Sheppard Pratt’s Telepsychiatry Program and service chief of the Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Inpatient Unit. Of the nomination, Kaplan says, “I’ve always viewed the Burlingame award as arguably the most prestigious award of our profession. Upon reviewing the criteria, I knew Steve was worthy of the award. This award marks the culmination of an incredible career.”
Sharfstein will accept the Burlingame Award – which is given annually – at the Institute of Living in November.
About Sheppard Pratt
Sheppard Pratt is the largest private, nonprofit provider of mental health, substance use, developmental disability, special education, and social services in the country. A nationwide resource, Sheppard Pratt provides services across a comprehensive continuum of care, spanning both hospital- and community-based resources. Since its founding in 1853, Sheppard Pratt has been innovating the field through research, best practice implementation, and a focus on improving the quality of mental health care on a global level. Sheppard Pratt has been consistently recognized as a top national psychiatric hospital by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years.