The Bert Nash Center was founded in honor of Professor Bert Nash, whose advocacy for mental health—especially for children—left a lasting impact. From the beginning, ensuring access to mental health care for all has been at the heart of the Center’s mission.
Over the past 75 years, the Center has grown from a staff of 3 in 1951 to a team of more than 400 dedicated professionals providing a wide range of services, including outpatient therapy, housing support, and crisis care.
This unwavering commitment to our community continues to build on Professor Nash’s legacy. As we look to the future and expand our network of care in Douglas County, we celebrate the strong foundation that has supported us for the past seven and a half decades.
-Patrick Schmitz, President & CEO of the Bert Nash Center
Celebrating 75 Years
Pioneer Celebration featuring the KU Symphony Orchestra
Monday May 5 | Lawrence Arts Center | 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Every year we recognize individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the mental health landscape in Douglas County. In 2025 we are honored to host the KU Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the Center's 75th anniversary. For more information and to RSVP, please click the button below.
Thank you to our 2025 Pioneer Celebration sponsors
Thank you to our 2025 Anniversary Partners
We are thrilled to celebrate our 75th anniversary year with two other fantastic community partners. Stevens & Brand LLP is celebrating 100 years and the Watkins Museum of History is celebrating 50. You can hear more about this anniversary partnership in an interview on KLWN's Timeline Radio. Bert Nash CEO Patrick Schmitz, Stevens & Brand's Managing Partner Brad Finkeldei, and Watkins Museum of History's Executive Director Steve Nowak, and Yellowbug Creative's founder Jared Bednar talk about reaching these important milestones.
All three organizations will have exhibits at the Watkins Museum of History throughout 2025. To see all of these great exhibits and celebrations surrounding these amazing milestones, please see the Watkins Museum of History's calendar of events.
75th Anniversary Events
Watkins Museum of History Exhibit: The Bert Nash Center Legacy Responding to Needs, Restoring Lives, and Building a Healthy Community
Friday April 18 – Saturday May 31 | Community Gallery
Watkins Museum of History will host an exhibition exploring the life of Dr. Bert Nash, a pioneer in the fields of educational psychology and mental health, while tracing the growth and community of his namesake mental health center, founded in 1950, three years after his untimely death. The exhibition will be on view in the Watkins Museum’s Community Gallery through May 31, spanning National Mental Health Awareness Month.
The exhibition is sponsored by Stevens & Brand law firm, which is celebrating its 100th in 2025, while the Watkins Museum of History is celebrating its 50th this year.
Opening Reception
Friday April 25 | Watkins Museum of History | 5 – 7 pm
Join us on April's Final Friday for refreshments and community. We'll have brief remarks at 6 pm.
History
Share Your Bert Nash Center Memories
We want to collect your Bert Nash Memories to share with our community and the Watkins Museum of History as part of an upcoming exhibit. If you're a former team member or community supporter, please use the form below to share your story.
By completing the form, you consent to share your story and understand that the Bert Nash Center will share your submission with the Watkins Museum of History. Bert Nash Center may also use your submission, either in full or in part, across its media channels.
