A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E O F F I C E O F P H I L A N T H R O P Y ■ S H E P P A R D P R A T T H E A LT H S Y S T E M

■ Winter 2007

I NS I D E

Cal Ripken Sr.Foundation

Steps Up to thePlatepage 3

Inpatient UnitHonors the Life ofWayne S. Fenton,

M.D.page 2

Judy Collins toHeadline Care forKids Concert onMarch 29, 2008

page 6

Asa student at GeorgeMason University, PaulLivelli thought hewanted to be an English

teacher. His mother had a differentidea.“She wondered how I wasgoing to find a job and how I wasgoing to make money. One of herfriend’s daughters had been lookingfor a teaching job for three years, andI started to think that my motherwas making a good point.”

So Livelli looked at job postingsin the college counseling office. Hefound a listing fromThe School forContemporary Education [now thePhillips School], which needed a

one-on-one aide for a 14-year oldboy with autism.

“I was a fairly cocky collegestudent, so I figured I could teachanybody anything.Well, I met Roger,and he taught me everything I knowabout autism. He put me through theringer.

“Roger was a huge fan of candy,so one day, I convinced my principalto let me take Roger to buy aHershey bar at a nearby drugstore. Ithought crossing a street and makinga purchase were good, practical skillsfor him to know.We made it to thedrugstore and went down the firstaisle. No problem.

New Autism School in Hunt Valleyto Open in Early 2008An interview with Paul D. Livelli, Ph.D.,director of autism educational programs,The Forbush School

Paul Livelli visitsthe future home ofThe ForbushSchool at HuntValley, which willserve 72 autisticchildren andadolescents.

continued on page 4

Make a gift online at www.sheppardpratt.org2

Inpatient Unit Honors the Life ofWayne S. Fenton, M.D.

Nancy Fenton (thirdfrom left) andchildren (from left),Claire, Nathaniel

and Amalia,

attended the openingof The Fenton Unitin June.

Wayne Fenton will be remembered as a talented researcher, clinician and administrator.

Itwas a holiday weekend, but thatdidn’t stop psychiatristWayneFenton from seeing a seriously illpatient in crisis. Fenton, a renowned

expert in the diagnosis and treatment ofschizophrenia, was tragically murdered bythe 19-year-old patient on September 3,2006, shocking the psychiatric communityand devastating his wife and four children.

“Throughout his career,Wayne Fentonwas recognized by physicians and patientsalike as a compassionate clinician and astaunch advocate for people suffering withsevere mental illness,” said Dr. Steven S.Sharfstein, Sheppard Pratt president andchief executive officer.“Wayne’s death wasa profound loss not only for his family andmany friends and colleagues across thecountry, but for people with seriousmental illness.”

Dr. Fenton was the director of theDivision of Adult Translational Researchand associate director for clinical affairs at

the National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH).Much of his research focused onthe development of new diagnosticinstruments and interventions for severemental illnesses, including schizophrenia.In addition to his research, Dr. Fentonmaintained a clinical practice.

“Wayne’s aptitude for research, histalent for administration and his clinicaldedication will forever remind us aboutthe importance of providing mental healthcare of the highest possible quality,”Sharfstein added.“Only by doing so canwe bring real hope to people who facethe demons of psychiatric disease everysingle day.”

To that end,The Fenton Unit atSheppard Pratt – Ellicott City opened inJune, 2007 to honor Dr. Fenton’s memory.The specialized 14-bed adult unit isdedicated to piloting innovative patient-centered interventions for possiblereplication throughout the Health System.

TheWayne S. Fenton, M.D.MemorialFund has been established to supportprogramming initiatives on the unit thatare not covered by reimbursement.

“It is hoped that the availability of thisunit will allow us to work collaborativelywith third party payors and the MentalHygiene Administration around theimplementation and evaluation ofinnovative approaches to care,” explainedDr. Sharfstein.“As an example, the unitcan be used to test a wide array ofpractices and their impact on certain basicoutcomes, such as post-discharge stabilityand readmission rates.”

Donors to theWayne S. Fenton M.D.Memorial Fund have been recognized ona display in the unit honoring Dr. Fentonand the impact of his life’s work.

Gifts to theWayne S. Fenton, M.D.Memorial Fund may be mailed to TheOffice of Philanthropy/Sheppard PrattHealth System/P.O. Box 6815/Baltimore,MD 21285-6815. Checks should be madepayable to the The Sheppard & EnochPratt Foundation. If you prefer to pay bycredit card, please call 410-938-4020.TheFenton family will be notified of yourdonation, unless you prefer otherwise.■

Why We Give“Twenty years ago, our daughter was

hospitalized with depression when

she tried to commit suicide. The

treatment at Sheppard Pratt

was exceptional for both her and our

family. Today she is married, works

at a hospice and is an integral part

of our family. Our contribution is a

small way to remember the help we

received and possibly help someone

else who is going through a difficult

time.”

—-John & Betsie Miklos

Make a gift online at www.sheppardpratt.org 3

Four of Sheppard Pratt’s specialeducation schools have received agenerous donation of Quickballsets from the Cal Ripken Sr.

Foundation. Quickball, a national baseballenhancement program and the officialgrassroots sport of the Foundation, hasdeveloped into one of the fastest growingrecreational baseball programs in thecountry.

Quickball speeds up the traditionalgame of baseball by using unique gameequipment and non-traditional rulesdesigned to level the playing field for allplayers, regardless of size or skill level.Thetimed game features multi-batter offenses,two-way scoring and lineups ranging from1 to 15 players per side.

Brandon Knott, baseball operationsmanager for the Ripken Foundation,visited Sheppard Pratt’s Towson campus inJuly to teach several special educationschool staff members the nuances of theinnovative game. Quickball will beintroduced to Sheppard Pratt students overthe next several months and, thanks to the

of our therapy at Forbush, and we aregrateful to the Ripken Foundation forproviding such an entertaining and healthyoutlet for our kids.”■

Cal Ripken Sr. FoundationSteps Up to the Plate

Brandon Knott (right), baseball operations manager for the Ripken Foundation, provided Quickballtraining to Sheppard Pratt staffers (from left) Justin Barrasso, Frost School; Jennifer Corwell,

Jefferson School at the Finan Center; John Harrington, Forbush School; and Mark Liller, JeffersonSchool at the Finan Center.

Ripken Foundation, will be a welcomeaddition to their recreational program.

JimTruscello, director of education atthe Forbush School, commented that“physical recreation is an essential element

Tile ProjectDemonstrates theTherapeutic Natureof Art

This past September, Sheppard Pratt celebrated theinstallation of a magnificent ceramic tile display inthe sun-splashed corridor connecting The Harry& JeanetteWeinberg Building and the adjacent

gymnasium.The display, entitled “The Art of Healing,” consistsof nearly 300 tiles hand painted by students in Sheppard Pratt’sspecial education schools across Maryland.The tiles aregrouped into eight themes: fish, flowers, food, hearts, travel,stars, trees and dreams.

The project was inspired by artist and Sheppard Pratt nurseBreon Gilleran, renowned ceramic artist Sandra Magsamenand Forbush School art teacher Barbara Gold.The creativetrio’s goal was to involve the entire Sheppard Pratt communityin a celebration of artistic expression and draw attention to theimportant role art can play in the emotional healing process.

“The Art of Healing” display is a striking feature of thenewWeinberg Building and a must-see stop on your next visitto the Towson campus.■Artists Sandra Magsamen (left) and Breon Gilleran were honored for

their contributions to “The Art of Healing” ceramic tile display inSeptember.

Make a gift online at www.sheppardpratt.org4

New Autism School in Hunt Valleyto Open in Early 2008An interview with Paul D. Livelli, Ph.D.,director of autism educational programs,The Forbush School

intensity question.When the behaviorbecomes too much, too frequent or toointense, treatment is required.

We see a lot of challenging behaviors.One girl pulled all of her hair out; one girlliterally poked herself blind. Some kidsbite and scratch; many of my staff ’s armsare completely torn up. Some kids haveabsolutely no safety skills; they will justrun out into the road. Others cannottolerate sitting in a chair.A number of kidshave full-blown tantrums—throwing theirbodies on the ground, crying, screaming—at ages not typically associated with thatkind of behavior.

Q: Lately, it seems like we’ve been

hearing and reading a lot in the news

about an increase in people who

have autism. To what do you attribute

that?

A: That’s a loaded question.We’re here totreat kids, not to assess why they’re here.But you’re certainly right about theincrease. Every time the Center forDisease Control comes out with a newprojection about autism, it’s moresignificant.When I first started, autismoccurred in one to five of 10,000 births.Now, it’s one in 150 births.

Q: It sounds like the timing for

opening the new Forbush School at

Hunt Valley couldn’t be better.

A: Absolutely. Sheppard Pratt is the largestprovider of special education services inMaryland. It operates schools foremotionally challenged children withautism tracks in Towson,Westminster,Montgomery County and Prince GeorgesCounty. But we are seeing a lot more kidswith autism than ever before.We havegone from having 28 kids five years ago tohaving 143 kids today.

Children with autism thrive in a smallclassroom setting with programs andservices tailored to their unique needs.Until this project, students with autismwere educated in the same building onour Towson campus as our emotionallychallenged special education students.Limited space and aging buildings,coupled with the need to meet thespecific needs of this population, havenecessitated the move of our Towsonautism program.

Maryland, College Park and goes flyfishing whenever he can.

In the following interview, Dr. Livellitalks about autism, Sheppard Pratt’sprograms for autistic children and hisexcitement about the Forbush School atHuntValley.

Q: How would you define autism in

the simplest way possible?

A: Autism is an impairment where eitheryour social communication or dailyfunctioning skills are hindered.The majorcriteria we look for is some sort of stereo-typic repetitive behavior and a disconnectbetween the ability to understand abstractlanguage. People with autism are veryliteral thinkers.

The funny thing, and I say thisfrequently in lectures, is that most of usexhibit many of the same qualities thatpeople with autism do, except we don’t doit to a point where we are consideredimpaired. So it’s a duration/frequency/

“Then we went down the secondaisle and, unfortunately for me, they wererestocking the shampoo.The place wastrashed and Roger had some realobsessive qualities, so when he saw thisaisle I went into absolute panic. I thoughtto myself, ‘Well, my trial run in the specialeducation field is going to be a short one.’Roger started pulling and organizing allof the shampoos.Then he stocked theshelves, carefully putting the boxes in theright place. Meanwhile, I’m saying,‘Roger, please stop!’ when I saw themanager walking down the aisle, headedin our direction. I pictured her calling myprincipal to complain.

“The manager asked what Roger wasdoing and I said, ‘Ma’am, I am so sorry,he’s sort of obsessive and he thinks thestore is messy so he’s fixing your shelves.’She said, ‘Do you know we pay people todo that?’ So Roger got himself a job, andI had absolutely nothing to do with it.”

Since then, however, Livelli has hadquite a lot to do with autism. He earned aMasters degree at GeorgeWashingtonUniversity and a Ph.D. from CapellaUniversity. Prior to joining the staff ofSheppard Pratt five years ago, he workedat Community Services for Autistic Adultsand Children (CSAAC) in MontgomeryCounty, Maryland. In addition to hiswork at Sheppard, the father of threeteaches part-time at the University of

The Forbush School is recognized as an Exemplar School by PBIS (Positive BehavioralInterventions and Supports) for its success in creating and maintaining safe learning environmentsfor teachers and students.

continued from page 1

“What we try to do is create taxpayers, not tax takers.We teach life skills and job skills, with the goal of givingevery 21-year-old who graduates a job and a place to live.”

—Paul D. Livelli, Ph.D.

Make a gift online at www.sheppardpratt.org 5

We expect to open in February, andwe are really excited about it.We’ll betreating 72 students in grades K through12.

Q: What can you tell me about the

space the school will occupy?

A: It’s on Pepper Road in an oldMcCormick & Company building.Youcan still smell cinnamon outside.

Kids who have autism are typicallyhypersensitive or hyposensitive to outsidestimuli.Their brains cannot correctlyprocess the information their senses bringin, and they frequently become over-stimulated. Our new school will have ahuge sensory integration area with avariety of equipment that helps kids calmdown.

Swings are very useful because of thevestibular movement they provide.Well-cushioned pads give a child who ishyposensitive to touch a place to “crash”into without injury. Small trampolineswith holding bars allow a child to jumpsafely.Weighted vests and blankets can besoothing as well.

After kids get the sensory input theyneed we can say,“Okay, now we’re goingto go do math” because their systems havecalmed down enough for them to beready to learn.

Q: One of the benefits of taking over

an old building is the input you have

in the design process.

A: Definitely.There will be 30,000 squarefeet of new construction, so we gatheredparents and staff together to design theschool from the ground up. I asked themwhat they thought a school for autism

Why shouldYOU donate to the newForbush School at HuntValley?

ToPaul Livelli, the question is a no-brainer.“Your gift can buy aswing a kid can sit on and calm down enough to be ready to learnmath.Your gift can buy a room where a kid, who may need carefor the rest of his life, can learn to hold a job.You gift will help

children with autism directly.They need your help right now, and your gift canmake a difference right now.”

On-site recognition will be given to all donors who make a minimum giftof $1,000. Naming opportunities—available for special education classrooms,the multi-purpose room, the sensory integration room and the therapeuticplayground—begin with a minimum gift of $10,000. Sheppard Pratt will workwith leadership donors to create a personalized plan for recognizing theirsupport.

For more information about making a gift to the Forbush School at HuntValley, please call Donna Clare at 410-938-4018.■

looks like.Then I told them,“It looks likewhat youWANT it to look like.” It was atremendously exciting opportunity.

We visited some other schools on theEast Coast but, really, a lot of the ideaswere generated by our own staff. Our 12classrooms will have no more than sixstudents in each, so the rooms didn’t needto be so big that they become playgroundsfor kids who have trouble sitting down.We’ll have a great therapeutic playgroundoutside.

Another feature we are excited aboutis the living skills area, which will includean apartment with a kitchen.Additionally,our multi-purpose room will be used as acafeteria as well as a place for trainings andparent meetings, and all of our classroomswill be equipped with computers.

Q: Why did you choose to locate the

school in Hunt Valley?

A:The location made sense because it’snear Interstate 83 and we wanted kidsfrom Baltimore City and other localschool systems to have easy access. Doingnew real estate was cost-prohibitive. SoHuntValley turned out to be the rightplace, and the building was the right size.

Q: Are most of the students with you

until they graduate?

A: We send lots of our kids back to thepublic schools. If we can give a studentgood behavioral treatment to settle himdown so he is available to learn, we canusually transfer the technology we’vedeveloped for that child and give it to thepublic system.That’s the goal: to have thechild in a less restrictive setting.

Maryland’s Leader inSpecial Education

Sheppard Pratt is the largestprovider of special educationservices in Maryland. Itstherapeutic, co-educational

programs and support services developthe potential of each student in theareas of cognitive, social, emotional andphysical development. Sheppard’s specialeducation schools include:

■ The Forbush School in Towson*

■ The Jefferson School inFrederick County

■ The Jefferson School at Finan inCumberland

■ The Lodge at Frost Schoolin Rockville

■ The Frost School in Rockville

■ The Forbush School atWestminster*

■ The Forbush School at Edgar AllanPoe in Suitland*

■ The Forbush School at Oakmont inGaithersburg*

In addition to academics, Sheppard’sspecial education services includemedication management, behaviortherapy, counseling, crisis management,social work services and family therapy,speech/language therapy, occupationaltherapy and physical therapy.■

* Indicates schools with an autism trackcontinued on back page

The new school’s sensory integration area willbe equipped with special swings and otherequipment designed to help kids calm downand get ready to learn.

Make a gift online at www.sheppardpratt.org6

Meet the Sheppard Pratt Philanthropy Team!Back row from left: Shana Clay, secretary; Brian Bowden, director of donor relations;Donna Clare, director of major gifts; and Pat Toth, gift shop manager. Front row from left:Anne Bradley, director of annual and special gifts; Julie Cox, CFRE, vice president ofphilanthropy; and Michael Klena, development administrative coordinator.

Why I Give“My own battle with addiction led me

on a profound spiritual journey, and I

received my certification as a chap-

lain in the late 1980’s. I became a

volunteer at Sheppard Pratt in 1999

and have enjoyed working on the

geriatric unit. I am forever learning

from the patients and enjoy working

with the outstanding clinical staff

that cares so deeply for them. I

provided for Sheppard Pratt in my

estate plan as another way to give

back to an institution that continues

to do so much for our community.”

—-Louise Hager

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SHEPPARD PRATT HEALTH SYSTEM’S16TH ANNUAL CARE FOR KIDS BENEFIT

IN CONCERTSATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2008

KRAUSHAAR AUDITORIUM

GOUCHER COLLEGE

Invitations will be mailed in early 2008.For advance tickets, sponsor information or advertising opportunities,

please visit www.sheppardpratt.org or call 410-938-4020.

All proceeds will benefit the children and adolescents in Sheppard Pratt's clinical and educational programs.

Make a gift online at www.sheppardpratt.org 7

2005 capital campaign, supportingconstruction of The Harry & JeanetteWeinberg Building, received nearlyone million dollars in bequests alone.

Dr. Sharfstein commented on theextremely personal nature of estateplanning, noting that very fewindividuals who provide for a charityinform the organization of theirarrangements during their lifetime.“We’re here today to celebrate theindividuals who have stepped forwardto inform Sheppard Pratt of theirintentions so we can thank themduring their lifetime,” he said.

Please contact Donna Clare at410-938-4018 if you are interested inlearning more about planned gifts toSheppard Pratt Health System.■

1853 Society MembersAnonymous (3)Mr. Andrew Austin

Mrs. Patricia CastilloMr. and Mrs. J. Howard Eager, IIIMr. and Mrs. Joel D. Fedder

Ms. Joan HarrisMr. and Mrs. Charles E. Herget

Ms. Evelyn FeldmanMs. Mildred Kern

Ms. Jane Cox LarsonDr. Jonas Rappeport

Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. SchaftelDr. and Mrs. Edward Sienkilewski

Mrs. Kate SnowMr. and Mrs. Gordon Wells

Dr. and Mrs. Clifford WheelessMr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Williams

Sheppard Pratt’s mostgenerous supporters,including members of the1853 Society, were honored

at the health system’s annualpresident’s reception in June. Dr.Steven Sharfstein and his wife,Margaret, hosted the event at theirhome.

Jane Cox Larson, Dr. and Mrs.Edward Sienkilewski and a couplewho chose to remain anonymouswere inducted into Sheppard Pratt’s1853 Society. Each received an 1853Society medallion and a framedwatercolor print by artist DianeGibson. Members Bob and MarilynSchaftel were also formally recog-nized for the first time.

Although Sheppard Pratt hasoffered patient care since 1891, theinstitution was incorporated in 1853,hence the name 1853 Society.TheSociety honors individuals who, like19th century founders MosesSheppard and Enoch Pratt, providedfor Sheppard Pratt Health System intheir estate plans or through other“planned” gifts.

Throughout Sheppard Pratt’shistory, grateful patients, theirfamilies, physicians, dedicated staffmembers and friends have madebequests to the institution.Their giftshave helped improve facilities, pro-vide care for indigent patients andkept Sheppard Pratt strong andindependent.The recent Mission

President’s ReceptionHonors Members of the

1853 Society

Where DoYour

DonationsGo?

Thegenerosity of our donorshas a tremendous impact onthe lives of patients andstudents across Sheppard

Pratt Health System.The responsibilityfor managing and distributing yourcharitable support belongs to a GrantsCommittee comprised of SheppardPratt Health System trustees andexecutive staff, including president andCEO Dr. Steven Sharfstein.

Decades of charitable support toSheppard Pratt have resulted in thecreation of 22 distinct philanthropicfunds. Some are established by donorsto benefit a specific area of the HealthSystem and are known as restrictedfunds. Others, which contain unrestrictedgifts made for the general benefit ofpatients and students, are tapped by theGrants Committee at its discretion.ThePatient Care Fund and the Care forKids Fund, which is supplementedannually through the Care for KidsConcert, are two of the funds thecommittee oversees to ensure thatcharitable dollars are directed to donors’preferred areas of support.

The Grants Committee meets threetimes a year to review grant requestssubmitted from all corners of theHealth System for a wide range ofpatient and student needs that cannot beaccommodated through operationalbudgets. In fiscal year 2007, theCommittee awarded a total of $590,000in grants that supported clinical andeducational services across the HealthSystem.Your support provided bicyclesfor children in The Forbush School,transportation for patients unable toreach their care providers, readingmaterial for patients and students,holiday decorations and gifts for theinpatient units and the studentresidential treatment centerand much, much more.

Under the watchful eye of theGrants Committee, your contributionsare having an enormous impact on thequality of care provided to our patients,students and their families and, on theirbehalf, we thank you.■

From left: Dr. Steven Sharfstein, president and CEO, with 1853 Society members Kay

and Ed Sienkilewski, Jane Cox Larson and Marilyn and Bob Schaftel.

Make a gift online at www.sheppardpratt.org

Nonprofit OrgU.S. Postage

P A I DBaltimore, MDPermit NO. 4029

6501 N. Charles StreetP.O. Box 6815Baltimore, MD 21285-6815

Return Service Requested

If you wish to have your name removed from the list of thosereceiving communications to raise funds in support of SheppardPratt Health System, please write to the Office of Philanthropy,Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 N. Charles Street,P. O. Box 6815, Baltimore, MD 21285-6815

AmongfriendsAmongfriendsPublished by the Office of Philanthropy

Sheppard Pratt Health System

Steven S. Sharfstein, M.D., President and CEO

W. Byron Forbush,Chairman, Board ofTrustees

H.Thomas Howell,Trustee;Chairman, Philanthropy Committee

Julie E. Cox, CFREVice President of Philanthropy

Brian D. Bowden,Director of Donor Relations;Editor of Among Friends

Donna S. Clare,Director of Major Gifts

Anne M. Bradley,Director of Annual & Special Gifts

Michael KlenaDevelopment Administrative Coordinator

Shana Clay, Secretary

Steamcom.com,Writing & Design

Q: What is your goal for students who aren’t appropriate for the public

school setting?

A: Our goal is really to make them as independent as possible.We try to createtaxpayers, not tax takers.We teach life skills and job skills, with the goal of givingevery 21-year-old who graduates a job and a place to live.

Initial planning for the vocational process here begins when the kids are 14.At15, they start building job skills in the classroom setting.When they reach age 16,they go out into the community with our teaching assistants.They may stock shelvesat CVS or bag groceries at Safeway, depending on their interests and skill levels. It’smuch easier to find out what kids with autism don’t want to do; it’s a lot morechallenging to find out what they want to do.

Q: When it comes to kids with severe autism, how do you define success?

A: If they don’t have any words to speak, do they have a communication system?Can they use pictures to go to CVS to make a purchase? Can they hold a job? Canthey follow directions so that they can come in, punch a clock, find out what theirtasks are, complete them and earn a paycheck? The staff here works extremely hardto make those things happen, and I’m proud of that.

Q: Given all of your administrative responsibilities, do you still have

opportunities to work directly with students?

A: I still work with kids who are particularly difficult to treat. I do that less nowbecause the leadership here has developed really good skills. Many of them havecome with me from other programs and I trust what they do. But I really enjoyworking with students, and I don’t want to lose touch with that. I’m here for thekids.■

New Autism School in Hunt Valley to Open in Early 2008continued from page 5