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Anitha Iyer receives Columbia’s Distinguished Alumni Award
Iyer is recognized for advancing equitable mental health care through leadership in behavioral health, public service, suicide prevention and psychology advocacy.
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Bhavana P - Thu, 16, Jul 2026
- 12:50 EDT
- 45
Anitha Iyer / Columbia University, Teachers College
Columbia University, Teachers College has recognized Indian-origin psychiatrist Anitha Iyer with its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award, honoring her contributions to behavioral health, mental health equity and public service.
Iyer is among five recipients of the 2026 Teachers College Alumni Awards, which will be presented during the institution's Alumni Day celebration on Oct. 3.
The annual awards recognize alumni for their exceptional service, professional impact and dedication to the college's mission of creating a smarter, healthier and more equitable world.
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Iyer serves as associate professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of Behavioral Health Population Management at the Mount Sinai Health System. Her work focuses on expanding timely and equitable access to mental health care, which she considers fundamental to individual and societal well-being.
Over the course of her career, Iyer has emerged as a leader in behavioral health service delivery and mental health policy. She is a frequent speaker at national conferences and has served as a subject matter expert for media engagement on mental health and suicide prevention.
She also holds leadership roles within the American Psychological Association, serving on the Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest and the executive board of APA Division 18, which focuses on psychologists working in public service settings.
Iyer earned three degrees from Teachers College, a doctorate in 2011, a master of science in 2009 and a master of arts in 2004. She also holds a Master of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Announcing the awards, Jane Elizabeth Brown, president of the Teachers College Alumni Council, said service remains central to the institution's community.
“Service is at the heart of our TC community. This year’s Alumni Award honorees exemplify that commitment, and celebrating them at Alumni Day remains one of our most cherished traditions at Teachers College,” said Brown.
Teachers College said the annual Alumni Awards recognize graduates whose professional achievements and service reflect the institution's mission while advancing human flourishing through leadership and innovation.
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