Dr. Kevin Simon biography
Dr. Kevin M. Simon, MD, MPH, FAPA (’15), is the inaugural Chief Behavioral Health Officer for the City of Boston, appointed by Mayor Michelle Wu. A triple board-certified psychiatrist (Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Adult Psychiatry, and Addiction Medicine), physician-scientist, health policy expert, and accomplished educator, Dr. Simon leads citywide efforts to address Boston’s behavioral health needs with innovative and inclusive strategies.
Clinically, Dr. Simon directs the Justice Clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital, where he provides specialized care to youth and young adults with dual diagnoses of mental health and substance use disorders, many of whom, along with their families, navigate complex systems such as child welfare and juvenile justice. As an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, he teaches and mentors the next generation of physicians and researchers, fostering their clinical and academic growth.
In the realm of research and academia, Dr. Simon was awarded the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Physician Scientist Program in Substance Use K12 Career Development Award, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), supporting his work in substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and best practices. A recent Commonwealth Fund Fellow in Health Policy at Harvard University, his research examines structural violence, advances fairness in health care, and seeks to expand access to care. His findings have been nationally recognized and published in notable journals such as the American Journal of Public Health and the New England Journal of Medicine.
Beyond his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Simon’s expertise extends to advising federal agencies on addressing healthcare system challenges, including strategies to prevent fraud and improve the integrity of care delivery. His perspective is frequently sought by national media on mental health and health policy.
Before medical school, Dr. Simon completed the Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP) at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, a pivotal step in shaping his academic and clinical trajectory. After graduating from SIU SOM, he trained in Adult Psychiatry at Grady Hospital, affiliated with Morehouse School of Medicine.
He completed dual clinical fellowships in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine concurrently at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Simon is a proud graduate of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Beyond his professional pursuits, he treasures time with his wife, Dr. Brittne Halford, and their two children, Brooke and Kevin Jr., finding balance and inspiration in family life as he remains steadfast in his commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world.
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Read the 2024 Aspects article.
