Washington, D.C. — Steven Starks, M.D., M.B.A., DFAPA, began his one-year term as the Speaker of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Assembly of District Branches at the close of the organization’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Manhattan.

In addition to his involvement with APA, Starks is board-certified in geriatric psychiatry and serves as clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston’s Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. He is an advocate for increasing access to mental health care services, particularly within minoritized groups.

In addition to being named a Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellow in Health Equity Leadership while completing his MBA at the Yale School of Management, Starks also completed a fellowship year with the American Political Science Association (APSA). While at APSA, he served in the Office of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, contributing to the design and rollout of the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with certifications in psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry.

“I am sincerely honored by the opportunity to represent the APA Assembly as Speaker,” said Starks. “As the voice of our district branches and state associations, special interest committees, subspecialty societies and sections, the Assembly is a crucial tool in the pursuit of equitable access to mental health care in the U.S. I look forward to developing camaraderie between members and raising awareness of the Assembly’s important mission. I am deeply grateful to my peers for this privilege, and I anticipate a fruitful year ahead.”

Starks received his undergraduate degree at the University of Houston and earned his medical degree from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, receiving the Dean’s Award at commencement. He then returned to Texas to complete his residency training at Baylor University College of Medicine.

The APA Assembly is a deliberative, advisory body to the APA Board of Trustees. The Assembly represents and serves the needs of the district branches and state associations and recommends actions to the Board of Trustees. The Assembly is officiated by a Speaker, a Speaker-Elect, and a Recorder.

Other recently elected Assembly Officials include:

• A. Evan Eyler, M.D., M.P.H., Speaker-Elect
• Ray Hsiao, M.D., Recorder

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 38,900 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.