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Robert H. Felix

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Robert H. Felix
Born(1902-08-10)August 10, 1902
Cincinnati, Ohio
Alma materUniversity of Cincinnati (B.A.)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (M.D.)
Known forResearch on oxytocin and vasopressin
Scientific career
InstitutionsNational Institute of Mental Health

Robert H. Felix was an American psychiatrist and administrator who served as the first Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) from 1949 to 1964.[1][2]

Background

Early life and education

Felix was born in 1904 in Cincinnati, Ohio and spent the next two decades of his life between Washington D. C. from 1944 to 1964. His undergraduate degree and medical degrees came from Colorado University where he completed both. He went on to study for a master's degree in public health at Johns Hopkins University. He did his psychiatric residency studies at the Colorado Psychopathic Hospital which positioned him as one of the best-known psychiatrists globally with great expertise applied across various fields within his profession. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1925 as well as his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1929.[3]

Career

Felix worked in a variety of mental health settings after finishing his internship and residency in psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati, including with the US Public Health Service. As a leader in the Public Health Service, he championed the Mental Health Act of 1946, which led to the creation of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). He was appointed the first director of NIMH in 1949, and worked to change the way people with mental illnesses were treated. He served in the capacity for 15 years and during that time he became known as a compassionate leader who was claimed to be selfless and dedicated, that earned him recognition from public.[4] During his tenure as Director of NIMH, he aimed on developing the country’s mental health strategies with an emphasis on research, treatment, and prevention. He funded notable expansions into the institute’s budget and staff while initiating psychiatric education programmes as well as investigations training programmes and community mental health services. At his retirement in 1964, he had become a model career civil servant and left behind a legacy on mental health policies and research.[5][1][6]

Felix held a series of positions, such as the President of the American Psychiatric Association between 1960-1961 and also served as the President of the Southern Psychiatric Association during 1946-1947. He was also in the Advisory Panel for Mental Health for World Health Organization from 1952 to 1978.[4]

Contributions and legacy

Felix’s management style at NIMH revolutionized psychiatry and mental health. He set up NIMH as a precursor in mental health studies and regulations, encouraging teamwork among experimenters, health workers, and legislators. He also promoted the disbanding of asylums as well as therapy delivered in neighborhoods including donation of money for studies uncovering cellular origins behind madness.[1][6][4]

Awards and recognition

Felix received several awards and honors for his contributions to psychiatry such as Distinguish service award from Public Health Service organization and American Psychiatric Association. In1963, he got Edward A. Strecker Medal for Psychiatry while in 1961 he received Rockefeller Public Service Award. The accolades demonstrated Felix's dedication, expertise, and leadership in the field of psychiatry, and his lasting impact on the mental health community. He also received the Thomas William Salmon Medal.[7][8][4]

Death

After his retirement from NIMH in 1964, Felix went on to work in psychiatry and mental health as a consultant and advisor to various organizations. He passed away in 1990, leaving behind a legacy as an original character in American psychiatry and mental health policy.[1][9][10] He died at his home in Sun City, Arizona, due asthma.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d In the Pursuit of Mental Well-being: Robert H. Felix and His Role in the Establishment of Mental Health in America. 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2024-08-15 – via videocast.nih.gov.
  2. ^ Narvaez, Alfonso A. (1990-04-03). "Dr. Robert H. Felix Is Dead at 85; Mental Health Unit's First Chief". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  3. ^ "Chronology of NIMH Directors - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)". www.nimh.nih.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  4. ^ a b c d e "ROBERT H. FELIX DIES". Washington Post. 2024-01-01. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  5. ^ "Celebrating NIMH's 75 Years - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)". www.nimh.nih.gov. 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  6. ^ a b "NLM History of Medicine Division Finding Aids". findingaids.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  7. ^ https://www.medvik.cz/link/xx0054496
  8. ^ "The Thomas W. Salmon Award and Lecture | New York Academy of Medicine". www.nyam.org. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  9. ^ https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1992-28917-001
  10. ^ BRACELAND, FRANCIS J. (1961-07). "Robert hanna felix". American Journal of Psychiatry. 118 (1): 9–14. doi:10.1176/ajp.118.1.9. ISSN 0002-953X. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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