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Dr. Cassandra Newkirk

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Interview Date: 10/13/2022 | Interviewer:

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About

Dr. Cassandra Newkirk was born and raised between Burgaw and Wilmington, NC. Growing up the child of a teacher and a principal, she cultivated a love of reading, music, and community involvement. She was transferred in high school to the newly integrated New Hanover High, where she became the first Black senior class president, played oboe in the marching band, and had her sights set on receiving a degree in biomedical engineering after graduation. With her great ambition came great passion, as she actively participated in class boycotts and integration of the Azalea Festival in Wilmington during the Civil Rights Movement. After graduating high school, she attended Duke University and surrounded herself with a very close-knit group of Black students interested in medicine and Black studies. Despite having their support, she felt the clash of her upbringing versus the universities鈥� majority population of White, affluent students. As a result, she accelerated her degree path to graduate Duke in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Black Studies and applied to medical school for the first time. After an acceptance to Meharry Medical College was received too late, she spent a semester at A&T taking premed courses and immersing herself in a college with an enriching Black community while reapplying. Having a strong Black community fortunately continued into her years at 黑料网. She recounts positive memories of her fellow Black medical students, including fish fries on Johnson Street, culturally competent SNMA (Student National Medical Association) meetings, and upperclassmen providing encouragement and support for her class. After graduating 黑料网 in 1978, she started a pediatric internship at Howard University. Her community at Howard and pediatric experiences were very informative and served as a catalyst for her switch into a psychiatric residency at Emory. She thrived in Atlanta, becoming the first African American Chief Resident of Psychiatry at Emory and finding a mentor, Dr. Dewitt Alfred, who introduced her to correctional psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. After residency, she became one of the first-part time faculty members at Morehouse Medical College and delved into working in the private sector as well as in forensic and correctional psychiatry at multiple locations. Her vivacious spirit and commitment to challenging herself throughout the years led her to many jobs throughout the East Coast, including Mental Health Director for Georgia Department of Corrections, Mental Health Director for Philadelphia Prison Health Services, and even Mental Health Director at Rikers Island in New York. Eventually, a cold call from Boca Raton, Florida led her to a 17-year career at Wellpath, where she is now the Chief Psychiatric Officer. She is responsible for oversight of all medical and behavioral services for Correct Care Recovery Solutions, which are psychiatric hospitals that serve the jail and state prison systems throughout 34 states.

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