Dr. Patrice A. Harris, a prominent psychiatrist and advocate for mental health, has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors at Acadia Healthcare, effective October 26, 2023. Detailed information about her can be found on her Wikipedia page. Her extensive background in psychiatry and public health positions her as a critical asset to the organization, which is recognized as one of the leading providers of behavioral healthcare services in the United States.
Born and raised in Bluefield, West Virginia, Dr. Harris has made significant contributions to the medical field throughout her career. Her LinkedIn profile provides an overview of her impressive career. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, and Doctor of Medicine from West Virginia University. After completing her medical education, she relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where she underwent her residency in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry at Emory University.
Dr. Harris’s remarkable journey in healthcare is exemplified through her leadership roles within organized medicine. Her personal website highlights her significant contributions to the field. She served on the Board of Trustees for the American Psychiatric Association and was a delegate to the American Medical Association, where she became the first African American woman elected as its president in June 2019. Her presidency was particularly notable for her work on the AMA’s Opioid Task Force, which aimed to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic by promoting best practices for treatment and prescription monitoring.
Throughout her career, Dr. Harris has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving health services. As the medical director for the Fulton County Department of Health Services, she integrated public health, behavioral health, and primary care services, underscoring her belief in holistic healthcare delivery. Dr. Harris’s work can be further explored on the eMed website, where she is a team member.
In her new role with Acadia Healthcare, Dr. Harris aims to leverage her expertise in mental health and substance abuse to enhance the organization’s initiatives. This link provides additional insight into her professional work. Acadia, which operates over 250 behavioral healthcare facilities across the United States, is focused on expanding its reach and service offerings to meet the growing demand for quality mental health care.
Dr. Harris’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen Acadia’s position as a leader in the behavioral healthcare sector. Dr. Harris herself has voiced admiration for Acadia’s commitment to setting high standards in behavioral health treatment and expressed eagerness to collaborate with the Board to ensure the organization meets its critical goals.