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Altha Stewart

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Altha Stewart
Born
South Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, US
Academic background
EducationBA, biology, 1973, Christian Brothers University
M.D., Temple University School of Medicine
Academic work
InstitutionsUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center

Altha Jeanne Stewart is an American psychiatrist. In 2015, Stewart was recruited by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to establish and direct the Center for Health in Justice Involved Youth. While there, she became the first African American president of the American Psychiatric Association.

Early life and education

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Stewart was born and raised in South Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee[1] to a librarian mother and civil service father.[2] Growing up, she attended Carver High School and Sacred Heart High School for Girls.[3] Following high school, she was among the first class of women admitted to Christian Brothers University before earning her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completing her residency in general psychiatry at Temple University School of Medicine.[1] Stewart was later named to the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association's Hall of Fame by CBU[4] and earned an honorary degree from Regis College.[5]

Career

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Following her medical degree, residency, and fellowship, Stewart served as the City of Philadelphia's Department of Public Health's medical director from 1983 to 1991.[6] She was then appointed to the rank of senior deputy commissioner for the New York State Office of Mental Health & Alcoholism Services.[7] From there, Stewart served as the executive director for the Detroit-Wayne Community Mental Health Agency from 1999 to 2002.[8] Upon moving back to Memphis, Stewart managed a federal grant for Shelby County, which focused on children with mental illness and their risk for going into the juvenile justice system. By 2011, she was appointed the executive director of the Just Care Family Network where she became an advocate for youth and families.[9]

Stewart eventually left the public sector and was recruited by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) to establish and direct the Center for Health in Justice Involved Youth. While serving in this role, she was selected to direct Phase II of Shelby Count's initiative, which was referred to as Defending Childhood Shelby.[10] As a result of her efforts, Stewart received the 2017 James G. Hughes Community Advocate Award from the Memphis Child Advocacy Center[11] and was honored as a Memphis Legend.[12] Beyond UTHSC, Stewart is also active within the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and served on their Board of Trustees, Conflict of Interest Committee and the Minority Fellowship Selection Committee, and Joint Reference Committee and the Council on Advocacy and Government Relations.[13]

In 2018, Stewart was appointed the first African American to lead the APA as president, for a one-year term.[13] Upon stepping down, she was named the senior associate dean for Community Health Engagement in the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.[14] In 2021, Stewart joined the Jed Foundation Advisory Board to advise on strategies in mental health and suicide prevention.[15] She also joined the University of Tennessee College of Social Work's Board of Visitors.[16] Later that year, Stewart received the Solomon Carter Fuller Award from the APA as a "Black citizen who has pioneered in an area that has significantly improved the quality of life for Black people."[17]

References

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  1. ^ a b Reisser, Peggy (January 24, 2020). "UTHSC's Altha Stewart Works to Help Youth in the Bluff City". University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. ^ Weathersbee, Tonyaa (May 25, 2018). "Weathersbee: How can struggling people defy mental health stigmas? This Memphian knows". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. ^ Cicci, Samuel X. (July 23, 2018). "901 Health: Dr. Altha Stewart on Mental Health". Memphis Magazine. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  4. ^ "TICUA HALL OF FAME SPOTLIGHT: ALTHA STEWART". Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association. January 27, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  5. ^ "Regis college, weston". The Boston Globe. May 15, 2006. Retrieved August 14, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Chandler, D. L. "Little Known Black History Fact: Dr. Altha Stewart". KMJQ. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  7. ^ "City health leader seen taking job in Maine". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 22, 1989. Retrieved August 14, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Mental health agency's director to step down". Detroit Free Press. October 3, 2001. Retrieved August 14, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Walker, Sally (January 15, 2017). "Dr. Altha Stewart: FACES of Memphis". Style Blueprint. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  10. ^ Reisser, Peggy (September 30, 2016). "UTHSC's Dr. Altha Stewart to Lead County Initiative to Reduce Childhood Exposure to Violence and Trauma". University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  11. ^ Carter, Amber (October 3, 2017). "Stewart Receives James G. Hughes Community Advocate Award from the Memphis Child Advocacy Center". University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  12. ^ Carter, Amber (April 2, 2018). "Stewart Honored As Memphis Legend By Healing Center". University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Dr. Altha Stewart Takes Office as APA President, the First African-American to Lead the Organization". American Psychiatric Association. May 10, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  14. ^ Reisser, Peggy (November 20, 2019). "Altha Stewart Named Senior Associate Dean for Community Health Engagement in the College of Medicine". Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  15. ^ "Advocate Dr. Altha Stewart Joins the JED Advisory Board Team". Jed Foundation. May 13, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  16. ^ "UT College of Social Work Welcomes Two New Board Members". UT College of Social Work. January 28, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  17. ^ Denton, Jackie (May 21, 2021). "Dr. Altha Stewart Receives Solomon Carter Fuller Award from the American Psychiatric Association". The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
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