Dr. Harding was born in Columbus, Ohio, received his M.D. from Loma Linda University, California (1991), took his residency at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio (1971–73), followed by a Child and Adolescent Fellowship at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland (1973–75).
Dr. Harding served as Director of the Training Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (1977–79) at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. He then moved to the University of South Carolina, joining the medical faculty and serving as Professor and Chair for the Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science (2003), Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, and Director of Evaluation Research in the S.C. Department of Mental Health (2006).
Dr. Harding has been involved in psychiatric activities for many years, both in S.C. and for the APA. He served on the S.C. Department of Mental Health Commission (1987–95), Governor’s Committee on Mental Health and Retardation (1985), S.C. Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (1979–85), Mental Health Committee of the S.C. Medical Association (1983–91), and was Chairperson (1986–88).
His involvement with the APA included being Recorder of the Assembly (1993–94) and Speaker (1995–96); serving on the Board of Directors of the American Psychiatric Foundation (2003); the Board of Directors of the American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. (2001–02); the American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education (2001–02); the APA Board of Trustees (1995–96 and 1998–2005); and serving on numerous committees as a member and chairperson. He was a member and vice chair of the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1999–2005).
Dr. Harding has received many honors and awards; among them are the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Distinguished Mentor 2003 and 2005); the American College of Neuropsychiatrists (Honorary Distinguished Physician Award, 2002); the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (Exemplary Psychiatrist Award, 2002); and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (Mary R. Gale Founders Award, 2001).
Dr. Harding served as President of the American Psychiatric Association (2001–02).