Memphis, TENN. - Alicia Barnes, DO, MPH, recently began her role as Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Chief of Pediatric Psychiatry. Dr. Barnes has also been named the inaugural Urban Child Institute (UCI) Endowed Chair of Excellence for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
Barnes is the first recipient of the endowed chair, Barnes will serve as the director of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UT Health Science Center. The division, which is affiliated with Le Bonheur, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Memphis Shelby County Schools system, supports education and training for medical students, residents and fellows, and provides consultation-liaison and outpatient psychiatric care at Le Bonheur.
Barnes will develop and lead initiatives in clinical care and research focused on early childhood mental illness and its associated risk factors. These include adverse childhood events, specific traumas, poverty, neighborhood and domestic violence, neglect and direct and indirect consequences of mental illness.
The new role recognizes Barnes’ deep commitment to advancing the mental health and wellness of young people and their families locally, nationally and internationally.
“I’m honored to lead this dedicated team in advancing mental health and well-being for children and families across the Mid-South,” Barnes said. “This role allows the division to build on a decade of community engagement at the Center for Youth Advocacy and Well-Being. My goal is to innovate and create a collaborative ecosystem that can provide sustainable mental health solutions that support Memphis youth and their families.”
Barnes is also the president of the Tennessee Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has served on the executive council of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Alicia Barnes as the inaugural Urban Child Institute Endowed Chair of Excellence for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,” said Trey Eubanks, MD, president of Le Bonheur. “Her expertise and passion for advancing mental and behavioral health for children and families will significantly strengthen Le Bonheur’s mission to provide exceptional, family-centered care.”
