heal
A publication of the Sheppard Pratt Health System • SPRING 2016
Healing Is Possible Peer support specialist has first-hand knowledge of recovery’s difficult road
PLUS FITNESS TRACKERS FOR MENTAL HEALTH EATING DISORDERS AND PREGNANCY LIFE AFTER A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
In this issue.
SPRING 2016
13 6
8 6 Healing Is Possible
3 The Retreat: A New Start
14
8
A New World for Wearables
From Our Blog: Life After My Traumatic Brain Injury
10
In the News/Calendar
15 Meet Our New Board Chairman: J. Frederick Motz
12 Philanthropy 13 Pregnant Women Can Have Eating Disorders, Too
Peer support specialist has first-hand knowledge of recovery’s difficult road
On the cover. Kendall Pryor’s personal life experiences have helped make her work as a Sheppard Pratt peer support specialist rewarding for both her patients and herself. Photo by David Stuck
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Connect with us.
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heal. is published three times a year by the Marketing Department of the Sheppard Pratt Health System, one of the nation’s top mental health programs, providing compassionate solutions to help those suffering from mental illness and addiction recover and get back to their lives. Information provided is general in nature and should not be substituted for the medical advice of a physician. Please consult your health care provider for recommendations specific to your personal health, medical treatment, and medical conditions.
Editor/Director of Marketing & PR
Jessica Kapustin
Outreach & Project Manager
Chelsea Soobitsky
Design, Production & Editorial
Mid-Atlantic Custom Media
Lindsey Bridwell, Cortney Geare,
Jeni Mann, Suzanne Pollak,
Joshua Runyan, and Greg Salisbury
Contributing Photographers
Brian Glock, Jody Robinson,
If you wish to have your name removed from the list of those receiving communications from Sheppard Pratt Health System, please email the Marketing Department at marketing@sheppardpratt.org or call 410.938.3133.
and David Stuck
Contributing Writers
Kristina Schiller and Madeline Caldwell
THE RETREAT AT SHEPPARD PRATT
A New Start THE RETREAT AND RUXTON HOUSE, BOTH PART OF THE SHEPPARD PRATT HEALTH SYSTEM, PROVIDE THE CONTINUUM OF CARE NECESSARY IN HELPING RESIDENTS OVERCOME A VARIETY OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS BY BILL DONAHUE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JODY ROBINSON
T
hree years ago, Jane Roberts* was
At The Retreat, Roberts discovered
“I had pretty much given up on life — I wouldn’t say I was suicidal, but I didn’t care if I lived or died. I was at my wit’s end.”
living in Hawaii, working full time as
a vibrant therapeutic community, where
a scuba instructor. Barely on the cusp of
residents sought effective treatment for
her 30th birthday, she seemed to have
various mental health disorders, ranging
the perfect life, yet there was a side to
from depression and substance use to
her most people didn’t see. Not even
marital problems and other life stressors,
the blue skies and white sands of an
such as career changes or “failure to
island paradise could cure her lifelong
launch” syndrome. Like every resident,
struggle with depression. She had been
she found comfort in having her own
somewhat of a nomad until then, but in
devoted treatment team — including
Hawaii, she came face to face with the
Thomas Franklin, M.D., medical director
reality that she could no longer outrun
of The Retreat, as her primary physician
her illness.
— to forge a path that would lead her out
me up with Dr. Franklin. He diagnosed
of the darkness.
me with depression and borderline
“I had pretty much given up on life,” she recalls. “I wouldn’t say I was suicidal,
“When I got there, I was a walking
but I didn’t care if I lived or died. I was at
zombie,” she remembers. “They paired
— Jane Roberts, former patient at The Retreat and Ruxton House
personality disorder, and he changed my medication and got the dosage right.”
my wit’s end.” She realized she needed to make
Ruxton House offers multiple levels of assistance and support in a residential setting.
significant changes in her life — namely, leaving her job, leaving the destructive romantic relationship in which she was mired, and leaving Hawaii. With the help of her mother, she spent three days packing up her belongings, including her car and two cats, and shipped them back to the mainland. Her new destination would be her family’s hometown on the outskirts of Baltimore, where she would start over. Both of her parents encouraged her to look into a local treatment program called The Retreat at Sheppard Pratt, part of the Sheppard Pratt Health System, in the Baltimore suburb of Towson. After her intake and interview process, she believed she had found the right place to help her overcome her depression and rediscover her will to live.
sheppardpratt.org • heal.
3
THE RETREAT AT SHEPPARD PRATT
“ We cultivate a culture where people form critical bonds that tend to last long after they have returned home.” — Miles Quaytman, M.D. she could benefit from extended care
therapy and meeting with doctors five
as she continued loosening depression’s
meetings take place in an atmosphere of
days a week. I was there to change my
grip. To ease her transition, the staff
mutual support, respect, and empathy,”
behavior, and they taught me to think
allowed her to add a few “personal
says Miles Quaytman, M.D., medical
about life in a different way. I had been
touches” to the home, including
director of Ruxton House and associate
struggling with depression for most of
a goldfish as a sort of surrogate for
medical director of The Retreat at
my life, and this was the most effective
her two cats.
Sheppard Pratt. “We cultivate a culture
treatment I’d ever received. I finally
Every day, she experienced the
where people form critical bonds that
started feeling better by the end of that
continuity of care for which Sheppard
tend to last long after they have returned
first week.”
Pratt has become known. She
home. Psychiatric illnesses, whatever
She had entered The Retreat on
maintained regular interaction with
their cause, limit a person’s capacity to
September 1, 2012, and by mid-October,
Dr. Franklin, among other specialists
relate to others and adversely affect their
her team agreed she was ready to “step
from The Retreat, and she continued
self-esteem. “When the day comes that
down” to Ruxton House, a transitional
her daily group therapy. She was
they are ready to take the next step and
living space shared by a small group of
particularly fond of dialectical behavior
return home, it is remarkable how many
residents in a beautiful neighborhood
therapy (DBT), which is a specific form
residents reestablish their new residence
only a few minutes away from Sheppard
of cognitive behavioral therapy that
near us,” he continues. “Even after they
Pratt’s main campus. Ruxton House
emphasizes the psychosocial aspects of
leave, residents can continue with
provided a more intimate, home-like
treatment. Through DBT, she learned
whatever parts of the program they feel
environment that more closely
effective ways to interact with others
valuable. The wonderful thing about
resembled everyday life, where
and form healthy relationships.
being part of Sheppard Pratt is that we
The interiors at Ruxton House are designed to evoke a sense of comfort and home for residents.
4
“These psychodynamic group
“I was also in group psychodynamic
heal. • Sheppard Pratt Health System
THE RETREAT AT SHEPPARD PRATT
The kitchen and dining areas at Ruxton House are designed specifically to encourage interactions like family-style dinners.
have the resources of the entire health
“re-enter the world,” often with
system right here. It’s a team effort, and it
guidance from Ruxton House staff
often requires more than one approach.”
members. This includes fine-tuning
“I was very lucky to have the support I had at Ruxton House and The Retreat. They basically saved my life. I don’t know where I would be otherwise.” — Jane Roberts
résumés, seeking employment
far from the Sheppard Pratt campus.
informal social interactions, such as
opportunities, and scouting for housing
Now 32, she describes her depression as
family-style dinners, and she also had
options, as well as making connections
“very manageable,” and she’s in “a very
the independence to pursue interests
for future mental health care once
healthy romantic relationship.” She
away from Ruxton House, such as
residents return home.
exercises often — swimming, running,
Roberts participated in formal and
spending time in nature. She found the
In Roberts’ case, she had spent
mountain biking, etc. — and has joined a
increased freedom incredibly helpful,
four months at Ruxton House when
number of Meetup.com groups. In
and she gained confidence knowing she
her treatment team agreed she was
addition to her job, she is scuba diving
had around-the-clock access to Ruxton
ready to live on her own again. By that
again, working as an instructor on a
House staff members, if needed. One
time, she had secured a new home and a
contract basis. Also, this summer she
of them was Lane Hicks, then a member
job as a sales associate for a local
started working as a camp counselor for
of the direct care staff who has since
sporting-goods retailer.
an outdoor learning center.
become program manager for
“In a lot of ways, stepping down
“I’m very thankful for my experience
from The Retreat to Ruxton House was
at The Retreat and Ruxton House,” she
hard for me,” she says. “You have the
says. “It wasn’t a place that pats you on
they are in a stage of treatment that is
support of the staff, but you have to
the back to try to make you feel better.
not going to last forever, and the
deal with more on your own, and it forces
At times I didn’t like that it was hard, but
treatment team presents a united front
you to be accountable for your thoughts
it was hard because the staff really
to make sure residents keep moving
and feelings. They don’t want to keep
wanted you to get better and work for it. I
forward,” Hicks says. “There’s only one
you there; they want you to have
was very lucky to have the support I had
Ruxton House; it’s bright, airy, and open,
a normal life. Dr. Franklin and other
at Ruxton House and The Retreat. They
and it fosters this wonderful sense of
members of the team told me, ‘We’re
basically saved my life. I don’t know
community. It’s an amazing place.”
still here for you. If you want to see
where I would be otherwise.”
Ruxton House. “At Ruxton House, everyone knows
As part of the process of moving forward, Ruxton House residents must take practical and proactive steps to
us, just let us know.’” For the past two years, Roberts has
* Name changed to protect privacy
been living independently in a house not
sheppardpratt.org • heal.
5
FEATURE/CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS
Healing Is Possible
BY SUZANNE POLLAK
PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST HAS FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF RECOVERY’S DIFFICULT ROAD
K
endall Pryor hasn’t entered her
regular trips to the Giant supermarket
working in a science lab that turned
second-floor office at the Sheppard
with her brother, who, she only found
into a career lasting almost 15 years.
Pratt Health System in at least three
out much later, was “shoplifting so we
“I loved it,” she said. Still, “all along I
months. She takes her job as peer
could eat.”
was drinking, but it never affected
Her father re-entered her life
support specialist so seriously that she
my ability to wake up and go to work.”
makes sure she is always where the
when she was 12. “He unfortunately
The misconception of addicts, she
patients are and not alone behind a desk.
started molesting me immediately,”
explained, is that they aren’t aware they
she said. That was the year Kendall
“are walking on dangerous ground.”
She accompanies them to
She married at 22, but revealed
counseling sessions, sits next to them for
had her first drink. “My father had a liquor
support, and always has a positive word
cabinet. I can still remember the
“I never felt connected to anybody.”
to share. Her job, she explained, is to
warm feeling.”
Despite almost 15 years of marriage and
“show patients that recovery is possible” and to assist them in recovering their can recreate yourself. If you trust the
“ I would have these breakdowns — I was feeling filthy. The shower water could never be hot enough.”
process enough, anything is possible,”
dignity. She also lets them know: “You
— Kendall Pryor, peer support specialist, Sheppard Pratt Health System
she said, adding, “I tell them that healing is possible if you decide you want it.” Kendall, 46, knows. She’s traveled
two sons who are now 13 and 16 years
not school officials, not even her caring
old, Kendall found herself crying often,
recovery herself. With an alcoholic
grandmother. She kept a tough outer
“still searching for acceptance.”
mother and an absent father, Kendall
shell, maintaining a B average through
spent her youth bouncing from foster
high school while excelling in basketball,
smelled her father’s cologne or if
home to relative and back again.
softball, and volleyball. She also
she saw someone who resembled him,
participated in color guard, ROTC, and
“I would have these breakdowns,”
the drill team.
she recalled. “I was feeling filthy. The
Due to her mother’s alcoholism, “there was a lot of neglect” and physical abuse, she said. “My brother and I, we were left alone a lot.” She recalled
6
Through it all, Kendall told no one,
down that long road of healing and
heal. • Sheppard Pratt Health System
Kendall enrolled at Coppin State University. After two years, she began
Paranoia enveloped her. If she
shower water could never be hot enough.”
Some of those breakdowns led to emergency room visits and short-term crisis management
Kendall said, identifying the moment
employed at Sheppard Pratt Health
when she started to heal.
System since May of last year, where she
Finally open to help, she began
spends her time working with patients on the co-occurring disorders unit.
inpatient stays. She spent time at
treatment. She was able to quit drugs
numerous hospitals and crisis centers
and alcohol, but needed help moving on
without getting to the bottom of
with her life. She was diagnosed by
know no one signed up” to have such
her diagnosis.
Baltimore Behavioral Health in January
burdens. She talks to them about what
To those in her old shoes, “I let them
Kendall admits she was not
2010 with a co-occurring disorder,
they need to put in their “toolbox” so they
open to help at that time, even during
which included drug and alcohol
can handle life’s stresses. “I encourage
the intensity of police and attorney
addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder,
them to advocate for themselves, and
questioning once she decided to have
bipolar disorder, severe depression,
I show them the benefits of being clean
her father prosecuted.
and impulsivity. The goal of Kendall’s
and sober,” she said, noting that she’s
intensive therapy was to address
been drug- and alcohol-free for six years.
Through it all, alcohol gave her the numbness she craved. As her
the underlying issues that led to
husband and friends began moving out
her addiction.
of her life, Kendall, who no longer worked
Kendall worked hard at healing
Kendall is certified as a peer support specialist by the state. “I never thought I would be able to impact somebody’s life
in the lab, met new people who
and recovery. After 10 months of
in a positive way,” she said. At Sheppard
introduced her, at the age of 35, to the
treatment, hard work, and recovery,
Pratt, “I am still kind of having ‘pinch me’
world of cocaine and heroin.
Kendall was recognized for her
moments. It’s amazing.”
She was still working, then at Walmart — when a crush of TV reporters
leadership potential. She became involved in a peer
When not at work, Kendall enjoys cooking and working with plants. “I have
confronted her at her place of
support program, realizing her story
a fabulous green thumb,” she said. But
employment. They were covering the
could help others, and has been working
mostly, “I love listening to peace and
investigation into her father. She confided
in that field ever since. She’s been
quiet. My life has been very noisy.”
in her manager that her father had sexually abused her as a child/teen. The manager told her that she, too, had been abused. “We cried and laughed together,”
Kendall is photographed in front of the empowerment mandala, which is one of 12 mandalas that represent our health system’s guiding principles.
sheppardpratt.org • heal.
7
INNOVATIONS IN MENTAL HEALTH
A New World for Wearables OFFERING THE POTENTIAL FOR A HUGE STEP FORWARD IN TRACKING EMOTIONS
Wearables can provide insight into not just how our bodies are functioning physically, but emotionally as well.
called Empatica E4s, are worn on a patient’s wrist and measure things like stress level, engagement, and excitement through several biometric data markers: Blood Volume Pulse (BVP), skin temperature, and electrodermal activity. The E4 tracker monitors this constantly, and real-time data is synced via Bluetooth with a secure cloud platform, so it is accessible to nurses EVEN WHEN you don’t see them, they’re there, tracking and measuring
data such as heart rate, electrodermal
our every move.
activity (electrical activity measured
and clinicians via both smartphone and computer. We sat down with psychiatrists
through the skin, which is thought to vary
Bob Wisner-Carlson, M.D., who leads
wearables, and that number is on the rise
with the state of our sweat glands), and
The Developmental Neuropsychiatry
(according to Mobi Health News, 90
sleep, wearables can provide insight into
Clinic and is service chief of the Adult
million units were sold in 2014). Fitbits,
not just how our bodies are functioning
Neuropsychiatric Unit; Desmond Kaplan,
Jawbones, and Vivosmarts surround us,
physically, but also emotionally,
M.D., service chief of the Child and
and for good reason: they provide
tracking feelings like stress level,
Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Unit; and
valuable insight into how our bodies
anger, and aggression. So what does
senior behavior specialist Tom Flis,
function on a day-to-day basis, giving us
all of this mean for psychology and
who works across both units, to discuss
the ability to analyze and optimize.
psychiatry? Whether tracking a rapid
the unlimited potential these wearables
Wearables have become omnipresent,
shift from depression to mania in
have to improve the quality of care
adorning the wrists of fitness buffs and
someone with bipolar disorder, or
we provide.
data nerds, and now, those with
monitoring a stressful situation for a
psychiatric illnesses.
nonverbal patient with severe autism,
E4s is for continuous monitoring of vitals
the possibilities are endless.
for our patients,” remarked Dr. Kaplan.
Today, millions of people are using
While it’s well known that wearables are great at tracking our workouts,
8
With the ability to track biometric
Here at Sheppard Pratt, we’ve
“One simple, immediate use for the
“Imagine just how much time we’re
monitoring our quality of sleep, and
invested in state-of-the-art devices
freeing up for our nursing staff when we
helping us to better understand our
on both the Adult Neuropsychiatric Unit
take away the monotonous, hourly task
bodies, psychiatrists have recently begun
and the Child and Adolescent
of taking temperature, heart rate, and
looking at the devices as well.
Neuropsychiatric Unit. These devices,
other vitals. They’ll be better able to
heal. • Sheppard Pratt Health System
INNOVATIONS IN MENTAL HEALTH
spend their time providing the care our patients need.” “While we’re still in the very
“Take, for instance, bipolar disorder,” Dr. Wisner-Carlson said. “Someone with bipolar disorder will
early stages of exploring what we can
rapidly cycle back and forth between
do with these wearables, one use that,
the two extremes of mania and
for me, instantly comes to mind is
depression, seemingly with no rhyme or
with children with autism,” he added.
reason. But when we can use biometric
“When a child with autism has a
data to see patterns that lead up to that
meltdown, it often feels like it comes
shift to mania or depression, we can
out of nowhere, that nothing could have
step in and medicate if needed, easing
possibly precipitated it. But if we place
the experiences for the patient,”
Sheppard Pratt, part of the Neuropsychiatry
a wearable on children with autism,
he explained. “We can even use these
Program, and is the service chief of the Adult
monitoring their biometric data and
devices with our nonverbal patients;
Neuropsychiatric Unit. His areas of interest include
how it fluctuates throughout the day,
while they can’t express themselves and
we could gather enough data so that we
their thoughts and feelings through
can begin to predict these meltdowns,
words, we can determine their level of
adult transition in ASD, and genetic disorders in
helping to identify the previously
stress and how they’re feeling different
developmental neuropsychiatry.
unseen triggers causing them.”
emotions through the data we receive
Being able to identify triggers, as well as biometric markers, that
BOB WISNER-CARLSON, M.D. Dr. Bob Wisner-Carlson, psychiatrist, leads The Developmental Neuropsychiatry Clinic at
comorbid behavioral and neuropsychiatric problems in individuals with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the young
from the wearables,” Tom Flis added. While the potential for using
precipitate a meltdown means we can
these devices to alleviate some of
begin to step in and prevent them from
the suffering our patients and their
occurring at all, or intervene sooner to
families endure and to better
DESMOND KAPLAN, M.D.
lessen the impact upon both the child
communicate with and understand
Dr. Desmon Kaplan is a South African-born child and adolescent psychiatrist specializing in
Being able to identify triggers, as well as biometric markers, that precipitate a meltdown means we can begin to step in and prevent them from occurring at all,
developmental disabilities and autism. In addition
or intervene sooner to lessen the impact upon both the child and their family.
health projects, partnering with professionals in
to his work at Sheppard Pratt as service chief of the Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Unit and the medical director of Telepsychiatry Services, Dr. Kaplan is involved in many international mental Kenya, South Africa, Israel, and more.
and their family. “By collecting data on
our population seems limitless, these
dozens of children, we can begin to
wearables come at a cost. And at
identify the specific characteristics of
nearly $1,700 per device, they are an
movements and relate these to what
extremely expensive investment. For
we’re observing from the wearables,”
now, we are beginning to pilot the ones
he continued.
we have on select patients on our two
Sheppard Pratt Health System, working on the
neuropsychiatric inpatient units, and
Adult Neuropsychiatric Unit, which offers specialty
can expand upon using these wearables
hope to use the findings to improve
care for adults with developmental and/or
for psychiatric research even further,
outcomes for these populations.
Dr. Wisner-Carlson feels we
and use them with any number of psychiatric illnesses, and in the adult
TOM FLIS, MS, BCBA, LBA, LCPC Tom Flis is a senior behavior specialist with
psychotic disorders. Tom, who has worked for Sheppard Pratt for 13 years, is a board certified and licensed behavior analyst and a licensed clinical professional counselor.
patient population.
sheppardpratt.org • heal.
9
IN THE NEWS
Celebrating 125 Years of Compassionate Care
125 years
THIS IS A HISTORIC YEAR for Sheppard Pratt, as we celebrate our 125th year of providing front-line psychiatric care throughout Maryland! Big changes are
including a new chairman of the board and CEO. As a pioneer and leader in mental
The Frost School Celebrates its 40th Year
health care, we have evolved significantly alongside psychiatry since 1891, and will
THE FROST SCHOOL, one of our 11 special
continue to do so while serving the needs of those in our community.
education day schools, is celebrating its
in store as we see shifts in leadership,
40th year supporting students with autism spectrum disorder, emotional and behavioral disabilities, and other related disorders.
‘The Book of Mormon’ Cast Performs on Campus
Congratulations on four decades of service and success!
BROADWAY CAST MEMBERS from the national tour of “The Book of Mormon” worked collaboratively with our philanthropy and marketing departments to put
ONCE on THIS ISLAND
on a one-time musical production of “Once On This Island” to benefit the patients and students at Sheppard Pratt. Thank you to the cast who donated their time and efforts to help us raise nearly $7,000!
Mark Your Calendar! For a complete listing of events, continuing education classes, and lectures, visit sheppardpratt.org/calendar-events.
series held Wednesday evenings at The Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call 410.938.3900 for information.
PHILANTHROPIC EVENTS
AFFILIATE EVENTS
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Annual Care for Kids Benefit Saturday, April 2, 2016
Mosaic Community Services’ Ruby Wax Event
Eating Disorders: State-of-the-Art Treatment Symposium 2016
This year’s Care for Kids Benefit will
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
feature an Elvis theme, with all
Hear Ruby Wax in her presentation,
A one-day training opportunity
proceeds benefiting Sheppard Pratt’s
“A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled,”
featuring five keynote sessions and five
pediatric patients and students.
at Goucher College. 410.453.9553
breakout workshops presented by
Saturday, April 9, 2016
leading experts from the US, Canada,
The Forbush School at Hunt Valley’s 7th Annual Bull & Oyster Roast
EDUCATIONAL CLASSES
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Sponsored jointly by The Kolmac Clinic,
Please join us at Towson American Legion Post 22 for food, music, raffles, and auctions! Call 410.527.9505 to purchase tickets.
10
heal. • Sheppard Pratt Health System
Dick Prodey Lecture Series Sheppard Pratt Health System, and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Maryland (NCADD-Maryland). A FREE, eight-class
and the UK. The Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt. To register, call 410.427.3886.
Wednesday Lectures @ Sheppard Pratt We offer a lecture series at
IN THE NEWS
Welcoming New Geriatric Services Medical Director
Climbing Wall Donated to The Frost School THE LUV U PROJECT generously donated funds to create “The Luv
MARC ZISSELMAN, M.D.,
u Wall,” a rock climbing wall for
joined the Sheppard Pratt
students at The Frost School.
family as medical director
Formed in memory of Carolyn C.
of geriatric services in
Mattingly, the nonprofit supports
November, leading the health
a mission to advance the
system’s Geropsychiatric
understanding of, and treatments
and Geriatric Neuropsychiatry Units.
for, mental health issues.
New Principal for The Jefferson School
Students Spread Hope, Not Dope
AFTER more than 30 years in
AS PART OF National Recovery
various positions with Hannah
Month this fall, students from The
More School and some time
Berkeley & Eleanor Mann Residential Treatment Center (Mann RTC) hosted an
working outside the health
assembly to share essays, poetry, and artwork in celebration of their own
system, Michael Kerins has
personal journeys through substance use recovery. The event was a success
returned to take on the role
in emphasizing the dangers of drug abuse and illustrating the results of
of principal at The Jefferson School.
The Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt most Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Visit sheppardpratt.org/ education-training/ for more information. Czarina Santos-Borja, M.D. Memorial Lecture: “Successful Aging” April 6, 2016 Benjamin Liptzin, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine
effective treatment.
Wolfe Adler Award Lecture: “Neurobiology of Universal Mechanisms of Action in Psychotherapy”
CONFERENCE EXHIBITING
April 27, 2016, Note Time Change: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
at a number of conferences and
Andrew J. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant
by our booth:
Throughout the year, Sheppard Pratt Health System and its programs exhibit community events. Make sure to stop
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at
ISSTD’s 33rd Annual Meeting
Columbia University
March 31-April 4, 2016 —
AWARENESS HOLIDAYS
ASAM’s 47th Annual MedicalScientific Conference
Alcohol Awareness Month
San Francisco, CA
April 14-17, 2016 — Baltimore, MD
Harry Stack Sullivan Lecture: “Sullivan & Sharfstein: Pathways to Personhood from Psychopathology to Policy”
April 2016 April 2016
April 16, 2016 — Baltimore, MD
April 20, 2016, Note Time Change: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mental Health Month
American Psychiatric Association’s 169th Annual Meeting
Lisa Dixon, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center
National Autism Awareness Month
May 2016
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week May 1-7, 2016
Honestly Autism Day
May 15-18, 2016 — Atlanta, GA
NAMI Walks 2016 May 21, 2016 — Baltimore, MD sheppardpratt.org • heal.
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SHEPPARD PRATT HEALTH SYSTEM PHILANTHROPY
You give. They heal. You make great things happen when you give to the Sheppard Pratt Health System
THANK YOU
Sheppard Pratt Health System would like to thank its sponsors for making the 24th Annual Care for Kids Benefit its most successful event yet! PREMIER SPONSORS: Lewis Contractors Morgan-Keller Construction DIAMOND SPONSOR: Audrey S. Knewstub Foundation Generous support also provided by The SunTrust Foundation PLATINUM SPONSORS: Allied Telephone and Data Corp. Bank of America Merrill Lynch Cordish Family Foundation Kramon & Graham, P.A. Leonard Paper Company Oakwood Construction Ruppert Landscape
PALLADIUM SPONSORS: Critical Systems by Schneider Electric W.B. Mason GOLD SPONSORS: 3W Cleaning Services, LLC Allegeant, LLC CannonDesign Corporate Office Properties Trust Daft-McCune-Walker, Inc. GBMC HealthCare System KPMG LLP PollyChirp Interpreting Taylor Foundation Venable, LLP
SILVER SPONSORS: Electrico, Inc. Ironmark KELLY Marshall Craft Associates, Inc. M&T Bank Prime Buchholz RCM&D, Inc. Shawe & Rosenthal, LLP Siemens Industry, Inc. VSC Fire & Security Worcester Eisenbrandt, Inc.
BRONZE SPONSORS: Aon Centric Business Systems Dunbar Armored, Inc. Mount Vernon Associates, Inc. Safe Ride SC&H Group Skyline Technology Solutions Spears/Votta & Associates, Inc. T. Rowe Price Transamerica Retirement Solutions
As of 3/7/16
TRAINING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE The Hurwitz Nursing Practicum
The cadre of PNPs most available
months in direct supervision and training.
was generously funded by the Benno
and interested in this work are recent
The addition of more highly trained PNPs
and Elayne Hurwitz Family Foundation.
PNP graduates. Although they are
will go a long way toward helping CWIC to
It will help to increase the capacity
enthusiastic and energetic, they are
expand care and alleviate suffering for the
of our Crisis Walk-In Clinic (CWIC),
largely inexperienced.
growing pool of individuals seeking
which is approaching annual volumes
To bridge this gap and prepare a new
treatment and crisis stabilization. We are
of 5,000 visitors, by employing
cohort of more seasoned PNPs who can
so grateful to the Benno and Elayne
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
work independently in a busy program,
Hurwitz Family Foundation for making
(PNP) as additional care providers
the Hurwitz Nursing Practicum will allow
it possible!
in CWIC.
recently certified PNPs to spend three
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heal. • Sheppard Pratt Health System
THE CENTER FOR EATING DISORDERS AT SHEPPARD PRATT
Pregnant Women Can Have Eating Disorders, Too EATING DISORDERS can affect people of
honest with your OB-GYN or midwife in
all genders, races, and ages. But, did you
order to access support and treatment
know that pregnant women can also
that can help you and your baby enjoy
struggle with eating disorders? Because
a healthy pregnancy.
of the way a woman’s body changes pregnancy may trigger more severe
Managing Body Image Dissatisfaction When Pregnant and Postpartum
body image concerns or exacerbate
Are you worried about how a past or
former disordered eating patterns in
current eating disorder might impact
some soon-to-be moms.
your pregnancy? The good news is
or a clinician. Developing this educated
during pregnancy, it’s not surprising that
Eating disorders are serious
that it is possible to cultivate a more
appreciation of what your body is
illnesses and pose a threat to both mom
positive relationship with your body
accomplishing helps to foster an attitude
and baby. Women who have persistent
during pregnancy. Studies have
of kindness and gratitude as opposed to
eating disorder symptoms during
demonstrated that the more a woman
self-criticism or despair.
pregnancy are more likely to experience
understands why and how her body is
complications including severe nausea
changing to support the development
obsessively strive to rapidly lose weight
and vomiting, anemia, preterm birth,
of her child, the more accepting and
gained during their pregnancy. This
miscarriage, and are more likely to
tolerant she will be toward the inevitable
common “get your body back” attitude
require a Caesarian section. The baby is
changes in body shape, weight, and
can lead to a wide range of health
also at heightened risk for low birth
appearance during pregnancy.
problems including malnourishment
After delivery, many women
during what is a critical bonding period
The more a woman understands why and how her body is changing to support the development of her child, the more accepting and tolerant she will be.
with your new baby. Breastfeeding moms have even greater nutritional requirements, and poor nutritional intake increases the risk of or can be a symptom of postpartum depression.
weight and complications such as congenital malformations.
There are many resources that
It can be a challenge in our society
provide week-by-week guides, calendars,
to not be weight-focused. It can be even
and videos to explain what is happening
more challenging during and after
importance of early and effective
in your body during the 40 weeks leading
pregnancy. Investing in an attitude of
intervention for eating disorder
up to birth and beyond. Watching these
body appreciation by focusing less on
symptoms in a pregnant mother. While it
videos or reading the guides, while
size and shape and more on function can
might be difficult to talk with your
exploring your thoughts and feelings,
yield positive benefits for both mother
providers about eating disorder
can provide important opportunities to
and baby. Be kind to your body and mind
symptoms, especially during pregnancy,
talk about the bodily changes associated
during this special time.
it is imperative that you are open and
with pregnancy with your family, friends,
These factors underscore the
STEVEN CRAWFORD, M.D., CO-DIRECTOR, THE CENTER FOR EATING DISORDERS Dr. Crawford has been in a leadership role at The Center for Eating Disorders for more than 20 years. He also serves on the faculty of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he teaches how to identify eating disorders, and is also a lead investigator in federally funded research grants.
sheppardpratt.org • heal.
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THRIVE. A BLOG BY SHEPPARD PRATT
From Our Blog: Life After My Traumatic Brain Injury LIFE IS DIFFICULT enough
Recovery From My TBI
with a mental disability —
After I was released from the hospital, I spent eight weeks in
try adding a physical
intensive rehabilitation at John F. Kennedy Hospital (now
disability to the mix. As
Kennedy Krieger). My mother worked in Baltimore during the
someone with a traumatic
day, and stayed with me at the rehab facility at night. Over the next seven years, I began the process of learning
brain injury (TBI), I face both every day. My name is Randi, and I’m a peer support
to walk again. At first, I couldn’t walk more than 200 steps without getting tired. I had physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy throughout my time at school. I’ve had a cane, walker, wheelchair, and braces on my legs
specialist at Sheppard Pratt. A peer support specialist
at different times in my life, and couldn’t walk on my own
is someone who shares
until I was 7. I also had to wear a helmet to protect my head in
similar experiences with
case I fell down.
the people in his/her care. Sometimes, it’s more comfortable to talk to someone with lived experience who can really relate to what the patient is going through.
My TBI Today My TBI still affects me today in that I have a balance problem, hearing loss, delayed reaction time, and problems with fine motor skills. But, my balance has improved, I don’t use any mobility aides, and I’ve even completed two 5Ks!
My Story My story started when I was 16 months old; as of May 3, 1986, my life would never be the same again. My mother was crossing the street with me in her arms when she was struck by a speeding car. I was thrown from her arms and hit the concrete, where I was knocked unconscious. I was airlifted to Children’s Hospital; during the ride, I underwent CPR. When I got to the hospital, I was hooked up to a respirator to help me breathe. Later, the doctors discovered that the respirator pressure was too strong, and was
Today, I have an MS degree, a house, a husband, a dog, and a full-time job! Who would have thought? Having had these experiences makes me great at what I do, and shows patients that recovery is possible — and that a great life is out there, waiting for them. Like what you’ve read? Check out our blog at sheppardpratt.org/blog for more great posts from our staff, patients, and community members.
blowing tiny holes in my lungs, so my chest was opened up
Randi Hamilton is a peer support specialist with Sheppard Pratt Health
and the holes were patched. I ended up in a coma for 31 days in
System, working primarily with patients in individual and group settings.
the intensive care unit. The doctors and nurses thought I would
In her role, Randi helps patients feel more engaged in recovery and
die, and I was diagnosed with the TBI that would impact me, both physically and mentally, for the rest of my life.
less stigmatized. She holds a Master of Science in applied psychology with a concentration in counseling, is happily married, and has a dog named Rusty.
Share Your Story with Us Share with us your memorable story from your time with Sheppard Pratt, and help us fight stigma. Please contact us at 410.938.4466 or share@sheppardpratt.org.
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heal. • Sheppard Pratt Health System
TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Sheppard Pratt Health System is a provider of health services that receives federal funds under Medicare Part A and Medicaid. Accordingly, we are required to have a non-discrimination policy as required by Section 601 of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. Specifically, that policy states that no person shall on the grounds of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in the provision of any care, service, or employment.
MEET OUR NEW BOARD CHAIRMAN
Doing Justice SHEPPARD PRATT’S NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES BRINGS HIS VISION AND DETERMINATION TO THE HEALTH SYSTEM’S LEADERSHIP TEAM
J. Frederick Motz, a longtime trustee with Sheppard Pratt, was officially named chairman of the board on January 1st. Born and raised in Baltimore, he is also a senior judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.
Q. What inspired you to serve on the board of trustees? A. First, I’m a Quaker. Second, my father
Q. If you could spend a day with any influential/famous person, who would it be and why?
served on the board for many years and I
A. Paul Ryan. He is so thoughtful and has
have always thought this is a wonderful
a very interesting job. He is constantly
institution doing amazing things for
challenged with dealing with people he
mental health.
may not necessarily agree with in a constructive manner.
Q. Why do you feel mental health treatment is important?
A. Why wouldn’t you? Mental health is
Q. What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
important for everyone. There’s no clear
A. Quiet and stubborn. [Initially, Judge
dividing line between mental and physical
Motz could not think of a third adjective,
health, and it’s just as important to treat
and about five minutes after the
and take care of your mental well-being
interview ended, he returned to share
as it is to take care of yourself physically.
the last adjective he’d use to describe himself.] Thoughtful.
Q. As the new chairman of the board, what goals do you have for the health system?
Q. What message do you have for our employees?
A. I want to help maintain and foster
A. I want to ensure employees
Sheppard Pratt’s well-known quality of
realize that they work for a
excellence and partner with leadership
wonderful organization.
and employees to continue to deliver
Employees at Sheppard Pratt have
services to the people who need them.
a goal of helping people, and that is a wonderful thing. Sheppard
Q. What do you like to do in your
Pratt is lucky to have them, and we
spare time?
on the board of trustees certainly
A. I really love spending time with my
recognize the value our employees
family. I have a wife who sits on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as two children and three grandchildren who are all Baltimoreans. I also enjoy playing golf.
bring to the table.
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6501 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21204 410.938.3000
Celebrating 125 Years of Care AFTER 125 YEARS of providing leading mental health, special education, substance use, and community
125 years
support services, our commitment to providing compassionate care to our patients remains the same as when we first opened our doors. In honor of our anniversary, we asked some of our employees and patients to share their most fond and meaningful memories, stories, or times spent at Sheppard Pratt. Visit sheppardpratt.org/about/125-years/ to hear our stories and to find out what Sheppard Pratt means to others.