Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital |
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Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital Gatehouse, December 2009
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| Geography | |
| Location | Towson, Maryland, United States |
| Organization | |
| Funding | Private |
| Hospital type | Specialist |
| Services | |
| Speciality | Psychiatric hospital |
The Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital, often called Sheppard Pratt, is a special hospital for mental health. It is located in Towson, a town near Baltimore, in Maryland. This hospital was started in 1853. It is one of the oldest private mental health hospitals in the United States.
The first buildings were designed by a famous architect named Calvert Vaux. Its old gatehouse, built in 1860, was designed by Thomas and James Dixon. These buildings were named a National Historic Landmark in 1971. This means they are very important historical places.
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A Look at History
The hospital was started by a Baltimore merchant named Moses Sheppard. He gave a lot of money, about $560,000, to build it in 1853. He was inspired by Dorothea Lynde Dix, a person who worked to help people with mental health issues.
The hospital was first called the Sheppard Asylum. It was built on a large farm called "Mount Airy Farm." This farm was located near Towson, Maryland. The first buildings were designed by Calvert Vaux. Construction began in 1862.
The hospital was planned to hold 150 patients. It followed a special design called the Kirkbride Plan. This plan aimed to create a calming and healing environment.
Moses Sheppard's Vision
Moses Sheppard had clear rules for his hospital. He wanted all patients to be treated kindly and comfortably. He also said that no patient should be kept underground. All patients needed privacy, sunlight, and fresh air.
Sheppard wanted the hospital to focus on helping people get better. It should use both science and experience for the best results. He also said that only the money earned from his gift, not the original gift itself, should be used to build and run the hospital.
Because of these rules about money, the hospital did not open until 1891. This was 34 years after Moses Sheppard passed away. This also made the hospital's future uncertain at first.
Enoch Pratt's Gift
The hospital's future became much brighter in 1896. A wealthy Baltimore businessman named Enoch Pratt gave a large amount of money to the hospital. He gave about $2 million to help finish building and expand the hospital.
Mr. Pratt had already founded the Enoch Pratt Free Library, a public library system in Baltimore. He admired Moses Sheppard and wanted to help the hospital. He asked that the hospital's name be changed to "The Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital".
After some legal discussions, Mr. Pratt's wishes were approved. His gift helped the hospital grow and become successful.
Modern Expansion
In 2000, Sheppard Pratt decided to make the hospital much bigger. They hired a company called HDR, Inc. to design a large new section. This new part added over 270,000 square feet, almost doubling the hospital's size.
With this expansion, patient rooms moved from the older, historic buildings to more modern ones. Today, Sheppard Pratt is known as one of the top mental health providers in the United States. It has often been ranked among the top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
The Retreat at Sheppard Pratt
The Retreat is a special part of Sheppard Pratt. It has 22 beds and is for people who want a very detailed evaluation and intense treatment. This program focuses on psychotherapy.
Patients at The Retreat have about 38 hours of group activities each week. They also have 6 to 8 individual sessions with doctors and therapists. The Retreat offers a comfortable setting for stays that can last from several weeks to a few months. Most residents stay for at least 20 days.
The Retreat helps with many different mental health conditions. It uses special methods like Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. These treatments are given in a safe and voluntary environment.
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