Cassandra Newkirk, MD, MBA

Dr. Newkirk has 40+ years’ experience in Forensic Psychiatry and Correctional mental health services administration. Having previously served as Chief Medical Officer for the Wellpath Recovery Solutions Division, Dr. Newkirk has served as the Chief Psychiatric Officer for Wellpath for the last 8 years which involves the oversight of Psychiatric services in carceral settings as well as State Psychiatric Hospitals and specialized treatment programs for patients in various public settings.   Immediately prior to joining Recovery Solutions in 2005, she was the Director of Mental Health Services at Rikers Island in New York City.  She has also served as Deputy Commissioner and Mental Health Director for the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Mental Health Director for the Philadelphia Prison System earlier in her career.   

Dr. Newkirk practiced general and forensic psychiatry in Atlanta for 14 years and had faculty appointments at Emory University and Morehouse Schools of Medicine.  Dr. Newkirk has held a variety of leadership positions in professional organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, Black Psychiatrists of America, and American Correctional Health Services Association.  She has served as President of both the Florida Psychiatry Society and Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association. She currently serves as the Secretary of the American College of Correctional Physicians and is an Assembly representative to the American Psychiatric Association from the state of Florida.  She received her bachelor’s degree from Duke University, her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a master’s degree in business administration with emphasis in healthcare management from Regis University. Dr. Newkirk was Chief Resident in Psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine and is board certified in general adult and Forensic Psychiatry. She is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.