Special to the Ledger

Dr. Sharon Weinstein

BELMONT, Mass. – Sharon Weinstein, MD, a Hartford native, was recently awarded the first Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the New England Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (NECCAP), at NECCAP’s 50th Anniversary Gala held in Lexington, Mass. Weinstein was also recently awarded the distinction of Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association at APA’s Annual Meeting held in San Francisco, Calif. – the highest honor the psychiatric profession bestows. Weinstein was previously awarded New England Council’s first Annual Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to the field of Child Psychiatry.

Weinstein is president of the NECCAP, distinguished fellow of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), assistant clinical professor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (HMS), and clinical associate in psychiatry in the Child and Adolescent Program at McLean Hospital. She is a distinguished fellow of Mass Psychiatric Society, and a member of Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. She is recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for her clinical excellence, teaching and educational leadership, and advocacy efforts, particularly in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.

Weinstein has published and given hundreds of presentations on her extensive interests in child and adolescent psychiatry. Her areas of expertise include ADHD, learning disabilities, affective disorders, eating disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and issues in contemporary families.

Weinstein graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University and earned her MD from Yale University School of Medicine. During her adult psychiatry residency training at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., she was awarded the Laughlin and the Group for Advancement of Psychiatry Fellowships. She continued her training as a child and adolescent resident at McLean Hospital, where she then served as psychiatrist in charge of the Child and Adolescent Inpatient Unit.

As Director of Continuing Medical Education of NECCAP, Weinstein has organized over 150 scientific programs, for which she and the Council have been recognized nationally. Weinstein’s most notable achievements include leadership roles as Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee for the AACAP Annual Meeting held in Boston in 2007, and her Chairmanship of the AACAP Annual Board Review Course in Boston.  AACAP recognized her for “Extraordinary Leadership and Exemplary Commitment to the Meeting and the Academy.”

AACAP has recognized Weinstein for her “Outstanding Commitment to Advocate for Children”, as reflected in the New England Council’s many programs and award-winning newsletters, through the “Catcher in the Rye” Advocacy Award – presented twice. AACAP also awarded Weinstein and NECCAP the Presidential Award for Community Involvement to Prevent Violence Against Children and Families.

A resident of Lincoln, Mass., Weinstein practices child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry in Lexington, Mass. She grew up in Hartford and West Hartford, where she was valedictorian of Hartford Public High School and confirmed at Congregation Beth Israel. She is the daughter of Mildred Weinstein and the late David Weinstein, DDS, of West Hartford.