Dr. Harris received both a B.A. in Biology and Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She completed her Psychiatry Residency and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. After fellowship, she pursued a career in community psychiatry. She served as chair and member of Texana MHMR′s Medical Executive Committee (2003-2005), and Residency Education Coordinator (2004-2005). In 2005, Dr. Harris participated as a panel discussant for the Department of Health and Human Services′ revision of the Children′s Medication Algorithm Project for Major Depression.

She is the recipient of numerous national awards from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Medical Association (AMA): APA/CMHS Fellowship, APA Mead-Johnson Fellowship, AMA Burroughs-Wellcome Leadership Award, and AMA Glaxo Achievement Award. Dr. Harris was the first participant of the CIVITAS Child Trauma program at Baylor College of Medicine. Previously, she has served on the APA′s National Committee of Family Violence and Sexual Abuse, the APA′s National Committee of Residents and Fellows, the editorial review board of the Jefferson Journal and as a board examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). Currently, she is a consultant to the APA′s corresponding committee for poverty and homelessness, a member of the All Healers Mental Health Alliance, and an APA Minority Mentor.

As the Director of Pediatric Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry and Texas Children′s Hospital, she is developing collaborative research projects with the Hematology-Oncology, and Neurology services to further explore her interests in childhood psychosocial adaptation to acute and chronic illness. Additionally, Dr. Harris coordinates a lecture series on psychiatric disorders and treatment for the Emergency Medicine and Faculty In-Service Departments.

In addition to her academic interests and responsibilities, Dr. Harris continues her dedication to community activities. She is the Director of Missouri City Baptist Church′s Support and Marriage Enrichment Ministry (S.A.M.E.). This group provides community-based psychoeducational programs targeting the areas of grief, loss, and trauma along with enrichment activities to improve communication, and marital intimacy.