Dr. Patrice A. Harris has built a career at the intersection of clinical psychiatry, public health and health policy, emerging as a national voice for behavioral health integration and system reform. Her leadership roles, including serving as the 174th president of the American Medical Association and as chair of the AMA Opioid Task Force, have positioned her to influence policy on addiction treatment, access to care and health equity.
A board-certified psychiatrist trained in child and adolescent and forensic psychiatry, Dr. Patrice A. Harris has combined clinical practice with public service. As chief health officer for Fulton County, she led efforts to integrate public health, behavioral health and primary care — a model increasingly referenced by providers and behavioral health systems. Her advocacy work spans local and federal arenas, from Georgia’s state legislature to engagements with White House officials and Congress.
During her decade on the AMA Board of Trustees, including a term as chair, she guided task forces on health information technology, payment reform and delivery redesign. As chair of the AMA Opioid Task Force from 2014 to 2021, she advanced policies to remove barriers to treatment, expand non-opioid pain options and reduce stigma for people with substance use disorders. Her media presence has helped bring attention to the opioid epidemic, mental health parity and social determinants of health.
Beyond organized medicine, Dr. Harris is CEO and co-founder of eMed, a digital health company, and serves as visiting professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is also chief health and medical editor for EverydayHealth.com and sits on several corporate and nonprofit boards, reflecting a broad engagement with healthcare delivery and innovation.
Her work to improve children’s mental health, trauma-informed care and behavioral health access has led to partnerships and conversations that include major behavioral health providers and systems. Dr. Patrice A. Harris, Acadia Healthcare and other stakeholders are part of a national dialogue on scaling effective treatment models and addressing workforce and access challenges.
Raised in West Virginia and trained at Emory and West Virginia University, Harris continues to be a sought-after speaker and mentor, emphasizing collaboration across sectors to achieve a healthier, more equitable future.