# Patrice Harris

> Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA, is a psychiatrist, public-health leader, health-technology founder and former president of the American Medical Association. The Bluefield, West Virginia, native became the first African American woman to lead the AMA, co-founded and ran eMed, and in August 2026 joined Nemours Children's Health as executive vice president and chief health impact officer.

- **Role:** Executive Vice President and Chief Health Impact Officer at Nemours Children's Health
- **Organizations:** Nemours Children's Health, eMed, American Medical Association, West Virginia University Board of Governors, Everyday Health, Emory University School of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Fulton County Department of Health Services, American Psychiatric Association
- **From:** Bluefield, West Virginia, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BA in Psychology, West Virginia University, MA in Counseling Psychology, West Virginia University, MD, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Psychiatry residency; fellowships in child and adolescent psychiatry and forensic psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine
- **Known for:** Became the first African American woman elected president of the American Medical Association., Served as the AMA's 174th president from 2019 to 2020., Became the first African American woman to chair the AMA Board of Trustees in 2016.

## Career timeline

- **2001-2003** — Served as senior policy fellow at Emory's Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic, advocating for abused and neglected children.
- **2005-2015** — Held senior Fulton County public-health roles, first as medical director for behavioral health and developmental disabilities and later as director of health services.
- **2011** — Elected to the American Medical Association Board of Trustees.
- **2014** — Began chairing the AMA Opioid Task Force at its creation.
- **2016-2017** — Chaired the AMA Board of Trustees, becoming the first African American woman in that office.
- **2018** — Elected AMA president-elect and named West Virginia University's Outstanding Alumna.
- **2019-2020** — Served as the 174th president of the AMA and the first African American woman elected to the role.
- **2020-2026** — Served as chief health and medical editor at large for Everyday Health.
- **2020-2026** — Co-founded eMed and served as its founding chief executive officer.
- **2022** — Received the West Virginia University School of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- **2025** — Received the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's Virginia Q. Anthony Outstanding Woman Leader Award.
- **2026** — Joined Nemours Children's Health as executive vice president and chief health impact officer.

## Achievements

- Became the first African American woman elected president of the American Medical Association.
- Served as the AMA's 174th president from 2019 to 2020.
- Became the first African American woman to chair the AMA Board of Trustees in 2016.
- Co-founded eMed and served as its founding chief executive officer.
- Led health services for Fulton County, Georgia, and worked to integrate public health, behavioral health and primary care.
- Received the 2025 Virginia Q. Anthony Outstanding Woman Leader Award from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
- Received the 2022 West Virginia University School of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award.
- Was named West Virginia University's 2018 Outstanding Alumna.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Nemours Children's Health appointed Harris executive vice president and chief health impact officer, with responsibility for integrating its Whole Child Health strategy across clinical care, operations, advocacy, research and community partnerships.
- **2025-11** — Harris returned to her hometown to visit Bluefield High School alongside West Virginia University President Michael Benson.
- **2025-11** — The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry honored Harris with its Virginia Q. Anthony Outstanding Woman Leader Award.

## Links

- Website: https://www.patriceharrismd.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-harris-md-ma-4378a65a
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/PatriceHarrisMD
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpatriceharris/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/10156319517616407

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/patrice-harris
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-28