Altha J. Stewart, M.D.

2021 Solomon Carter Fuller Award Recipient

Lecture Title: The Caravan Moves On: From Solomon Carter Fuller to Psychiatry in the 21st Century

Dr. Stewart earned her M.D. from Temple University and completed her residency at Hahnemann University Hospital. Within the APA, she has held various leadership roles, including serving as secretary and past president of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF). Additionally, she currently holds the position of associate professor of psychiatry and serves as the director of the Center for Health in Justice Involved Youth at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Previously, Dr. Stewart served as the Executive Director for Just Care Family Network, overseeing Memphis’ federally funded System of Care program for children with serious emotional disorders and their families. She also held the role of Director of Systems of Care for the Shelby County Office of the Public Defender. Earlier in her career, Dr. Stewart served as the Executive Director of the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency, one of the largest public mental health systems in the U.S. She also served as CEO and Executive Director of large public mental health systems in Pennsylvania and New York, where she was responsible for managing and developing programs for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders.

Dr. Stewart is actively involved in multiple professional organizations and has previously held the presidency of both the Association of Women Psychiatrists and the Black Psychiatrists of America. Making history, Dr. Stewart began her term as the first Black woman president of the APA in May 2018. Her significant contributions to the field have been recognized with the Solomon Carter Fuller Award in 2021, and she holds the esteemed status of being a Life Member of the APA.