Kenneth Z. Altshuler

Kenneth Z. Altshuler (April 11, 1929 – January 6, 2021) was an American psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. He was a Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and the Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Early life and education Kenneth Z. Altshuler was born on April 11, 1929, in Paterson, New Jersey, to Jacob and Altie Altshuler.

There, he expanded the faculty from five to over one hundred full-time physicians and raising fifty-two million dollars in departmental endowments, including funds for ten chairs and two research centers. He retired in 2019, and was appointed a Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry.

Personal life He had three children from his first marriage, Steven L. Altshuler, Lori L. Altshuler and Dara Altshuler, and six grandchildren. He and his wife were known for their civic engagement in Dallas and philanthropic activities in North Texas, including to UT Southwestern.

Altshuler died from complications of COVID-19 on January 6, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas.

Awards and honors

Merit Award of the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis Honorary Doctorate of Science from the Gallaudet College for the Deaf Certificate of Special Achievement by the American Psychiatric Association for contribution to the program for the deaf in New York Certificate of Special Recognition by the American Psychiatric Association for contribution to the Community Mental Health program in Dallas Distinguished Alumnus Award of the University of Buffalo School of Medicine Trail Blazer Award by the Dallas Community Mental Health Center Wilson Award in Geriatric Psychiatry Psychiatric Excellence Award from the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians Texas Star Award from the Texas Mental Health Association Outstanding Psychiatric Award from the North Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians Prism Award from the Dallas Mental Health Association The Psychiatric Out-Patient Clinic of Dallas Community Mental Health Center is named in his honor The Psychiatric Unit of Zale Lipshy Pavilion is named in his honor The Callier Center for Communication Disorders at University of Texas at Dallas established an annual award bearing his name – the Ruth and Ken Altshuler Callier Care Award The Metrocare Services established a research center bearing his name – the Altshuler Center for Education and Research Dallas County Mental Health and Mental Retardation renamed one of its clinics in his honor – the Kenneth Z. Altshuler Mental Health Clinic Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness