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West Virginia native ready to take helm of medical organization

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia native will become the head of the nation’s largest organization for medical professionals next month.

Dr. Patrice Harris has served as president-elect of the American Medical Association since June 2018. Harris grew up in Bluefield and attended West Virginia University, and now is a psychiatrist in Atlanta.

When she becomes president, Harris will be the first African American woman to lead the organization.

Dr. Patrice Harris

“We meet twice a year to develop policy,” Harris told MetroNews about the organization.

“I bet you a lot of people don’t know it’s policy developed by the AMA over the years that has played a role in making sure we have seatbelts in automobiles. We have strong advocacy around tobacco and smoking, and vaccine laws.”

As president-elect, Harris has spent the last year traveling around the world talking to medical professionals and advocating for health care policies. When she becomes president, Harris will continue to push for the organization’s principles as well as add other areas of focus for the association.

“As a psychiatrist, I will also amplify the importance of mental health. As a child psychiatrist, the importance of addressing trauma early in life,” she said. “As an African American woman, the importance of diversity in the professional workforce. As a leader, the importance of being tangible evidence that you can be not only a physician but also a leader in medicine.”

In regards to mental health, Harris pointed out young people have opened the conversation on mental fitness, which has helped erode the stigma surrounding the topic.

“Nobody wanted to talk about it, at least in public,” she said. “Thanks to the younger generation, we need to do that. Otherwise, people suffer in silence from untreated depression and untreated anxiety.”

Harris’ inauguration will take place on June 11 in Chicago, where the AMA is located.





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