Press Release

Sheppard Pratt Health System Appoints New Vice President of Human Resources

Veteran Human Resources Executive Karen Robertson-Keck, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Latest Addition to Leadership Team

Sheppard Pratt Health System announced today the appointment of Karen Robertson-Keck, SPHR, SHRM-SCP as vice president of human resources, effective September 5. Robertson-Keck is a highly-experienced human resources executive with a strong record of achievement in implementing workplace strategies for healthcare organizations. Prior to joining Sheppard Pratt Health System, Robertson-Keck spent over 15 years leading human resources efforts at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center in Baltimore. Under Robertson-Keck’s leadership, the organization was awarded as a “Best Place to Work” by Baltimore Business Journal for five consecutive years.

In her role as vice president of human resources, Karen will serve as a member of Sheppard Pratt’s leadership team, reporting directly to President and CEO Harsh K. Trivedi, MD, MBA. Robertson-Keck will be responsible for implementing recruitment, retention, and management strategies to meet the needs of over 5,000 employees in 16 counties across the state.

“Karen is an accomplished human resources executive with a proven track record of building high performing teams and elevating workplace culture in large and complex healthcare organizations,” said Trivedi. “I am confident that Karen will help us to attract, retain, and develop the best talent as we make Sheppard Pratt the best place to work in the region.”       

“I am eager to meet with the many talented employees across Sheppard Pratt, and to partner with the leadership team to best serve staff needs and support the delivery of unparalleled clinical care,” said Robertson-Keck.

Robertson-Keck’s hiring is the latest in a series of new additions to Sheppard Pratt Health System’s leadership team. Tom Hess, previously the special assistant to the president, has taken on the role of chief of staff. Jessica Kapustin, formerly the director of marketing and public relations, has moved into the role of chief marketing officer (CMO). Antonio DePaolo, PhD, who originally served as the director of Lean transformation, has now assumed the role of chief transformation officer (CTO). Together, the team will work to develop cohesive strategic plans designed to best improve the quality of care, support employees across the health system, and meet community needs.


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.