Remembering Dr. Daniel Winstead

Daniel Winstead, MD, passed away this week. He is survived by his son Theodore (Teddy) and daughter Laura and three grandchildren Sebastian, Ainsley, and Connor. He is predeceased by his wife Jenny.

Dan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1944 and graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1966. Following graduation from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1970, Dr. Winstead returned to the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati General Hospital for training in adult and child psychiatry. From 1973-1976, he served at the U.S. Army Hospital in Nuremberg, West Germany. In 1977 he returned to the United States recruited by Dan Gallant, as Chief of Psychiatry of the New Orleans Veterans Administration Medical Center and as a faculty member at Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology.

He served as Associate Chief of Staff for Education at the New Orleans Veterans Administration Medical Center from 1979-1987 and Director of Psychiatric Education at Tulane from 1983-1987.

He was Acting Chairman from 1986-1987 and named Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology in 1987. He was invested as the Robert G. Heath Professor of Psychiatry at Tulane University School of Medicine in May, 1993, for his demonstrated research competence and leadership ability.

His research interests were both basic and clinical in nature. He has published extensively in the psychiatric literature. He was active in many professional organizations to include the New Orleans Area Psychiatric Association, the Louisiana Psychiatric Medical Association, and is a fellow in the Society of Biological Psychiatry, and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Fellow of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, and the American College of Psychiatrists.

Dan was president of numerous national psychiatric organizations to include the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, American Association of Chairs of Departments of Psychiatry (2000-2002), and was former Chair of the ACGME Residency Review Committee for Psychiatry. In December, 2007 he completed two terms (8 years) as a Director of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology where He served as President (2006). He also was President of the American College of Psychiatrist (2012).

He received numerous Awards and Honors. The Psychiatrist of the Year, Louisiana Psychiatric Association, Menninger Award, American College of Physicians(2010), Presidential Commendation Award, American Psychiatric Association.

“Hundreds of medical students, residents, faculty, and colleagues were influenced by Dan’s tremendous caring and leadership skills," said Lee Hamm, MD, Senior Vice President and Dean of Tulane School of Medicine. "He was a mentor to all he encountered. We will all miss him dearly."