Rahn Bailey, M.D., a national leader whose community-based programs focus on providing care for the traditionally underserved and those with complex medical/psychiatric conditions, joined Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center this week as Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.
Bailey, who is board-certified in general and forensic psychiatry, is widely known for his work in inpatient care, medical education, research and forensic evaluations. In his new position, he leads a team of full-time faculty, residents and support staff that is tasked with enhancing and growing Wake Forest Baptist’s clinical, educational and research programs in the department of psychiatry and behavioral medicine.
Most recently, Bailey was chairman and professor of psychiatry at Meharry Medical College in Nashville and executive director of the Lloyd C. Elam Mental Health Center. During his time at Meharry, Bailey also served as an adjunct professor in psychiatry at Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine.
Bailey brings with him a number of research grants and is principal investigator on several studies including the Adult Continuum Care Grant, SISTER (Supported Intensive System of Treatment Empowerment and Recover) program, Rainbow Unit Grant, Adolescent and Family Treatment Program, Adolescent Day Treatment Grant, Substance Abuse Initiative Grant and many others.
Bailey is a diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Medicine, a Distinguished Fellow and membership chairman of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and a member of the American College of Psychiatry.
He has served as president and a member of the board of trustees of the National Medical Association, which represents 40,000 African American physicians in the United States, and as president of the Tennessee State Psychiatric Association.
Bailey received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Texas at Houston, Texas Medical Center Affiliated Hospital, where he was chief resident. He completed a fellowship in forensic psychiatry in Yale University’s department of psychiatry in New Haven, Conn.
Bailey has held assistant professorships at University of Texas Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Louisiana State University Medical Center and Tulane in New Orleans, and a former associate professor at the University of Alabama Birmingham Medical Center.
He has authored numerous publications including a book, “A Doctor’s Prescription for Healthcare Reform.”
Allison Brashear, M.D., MBA, professor and chair of the department of neurology, had served as interim chair of psychiatry during the national search for a new Chair.
Media Relations
Paula Faria: pfaria@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-1279
Mac Ingraham: mingraha@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-3487