What is your job at Sheppard Pratt?
I am the program manager of the Mood Disorders Day Hospital at the Baltimore/Washington Campus. I get to do creative work developing the program, as well as hands-on direct service coordinating care with patients and families seeking support.
What do you enjoy most about working at Sheppard Pratt?
I really relish the ability to be there for people during a time when their world gets turned upside down. Mental health issues can be highly stigmatized in communities. Sometimes we need someone outside of our established support networks that gets it. At the day hospital, we have an entire team that understands the challenges of these conditions and is dedicated to the healing of others.
What advice do you have for your patients?
Please stick with it. Recovery from mental health conditions can be frustrating. It’s not always linear, and it can feel like we lose progress on the bad days. Even if it’s two steps forward and one step back, you are still moving forward. Treatment can be intimidating, but it absolutely gets better if we give it time and keep showing up for ourselves.
What is your biggest source of inspiration?
My mom. She went back to school as an adult and finished her teaching degree and eventually her master’s degree—all the while taking care of two children, running a household, and working full time. She has a passion for education, and she works as an elementary school special educator for students with visual impairment.
What has been your proudest moment at work?
I feel proud every time we get positive patient comments. Our team is planting seeds of recovery all the time. It’s always beautiful to hear that a group topic has been meaningful to someone or that a staff member’s words stayed with them after treatment.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love yoga, hiking, and going on adventures with my son. We like to go to Patapsco State Park and collect cool rocks and sticks. We also love the zoo and the alpaca farm where we can pet the animals.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I have taken a few lessons, but I would love to learn to swing dance.
What would you title the autobiography of your life?
“Work in Progress.”
Fast Facts about Krista Carpenter
Job title: Program Manager of the Mood Disorders Day Hospital
Employed since 2020
3 words to describe you: Resilient. Determined. Empathetic.