Dr. Wiener was born in Baytown, TX, received his M.D. (1956) from Baylor College of Medicine, interned at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston, TX (1956–57), followed by a residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester University (1957–60), including child psychiatry, and further training in child psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He took psychoanalytic training in New York (1964–68).
Dr. Wiener focused his interest on child psychiatry. He was the Director of Child Psychiatry at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York (1962–71), followed by the Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Children’s Hospital. He later became acting chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, and chairman and professor at George Washington University Medical School, a position he held until his death.
Dr. Wiener was active in professional organizations, including the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry President (1987–89); the American Psychoanalytic Association; the American College of Psychiatrists; and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Weiner testified before Congress on behalf of the APA, took strong positions against licensure for psychologists, and supported the need for more psychiatrists to preserve quality in the workforce. Dr. Wiener contributed to psychiatric literature and had a long bibliography, including three books.
Dr. Wiener served as president of the American Psychiatric Association (1994–95).