Board Certifications

• Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2011)
• Forensic Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2013)
• Addiction Medicine, American Board of Preventive Medicine (2018); American Board of Addiction Medicine (2010)

Education & Training

• Fellowship, Forensic Psychiatry, Tulane University (2008–2009)
• Residency, Psychiatry, Louisiana State University (2004–2008)
• MD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (2003)
• BA, Biochemistry, Mills College (1997)

Current Appointments

• Owner, Director, Psychiatrist - Podesta Psychiatry, LLC (2012–present)
• Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry - Tulane University School of Medicine (2011–present)
• Medical Director: NOLA Par, Gateway Recovery Village, Steps, and Lake Wellness
• Steering Committee Member, HMP Education / Psych Congress (2019–present)
• Affiliate Faculty, Psychiatry Redefined (2020–present)

Honors & Distinctions

• Distinguished Fellow, American Society of Addiction Medicine (2022)
• Distinguished Fellow, American Psychiatric Association (2019)
• Best Doctors, New Orleans Magazine (2013–2021)
• Physician Champion, Louisiana (2018)
• Everyday Heroes, Times-Picayune (2016)
• Community Leadership Award, CADA (2016)
• 40 Under 40, Gambit Weekly (2009)
• Humanitarianism in Medicine Award, USC (2003)

Leadership & Service

• Immediate Past President, Louisiana Psychiatric Medical Association (President, 2023–2025)
• Council Member, Louisiana Opioid Abatement Task Force (2022–present)
• Past President, Louisiana Chapter, American Society of Addiction Medicine (2017–2021)
• New Orleans City Health Department Behavioral Health Council (2016–present)
• Executive Board Member, Learn To Live Global Foundation (2013–present)
• NIDA Mentor, Facilitated Training Initiative (2018–present)
• Founder and Chair, New Orleans Forensic Mental Health Coalition (2014–2016)

Selected Publications

• "Nonlinear Recovery in Polysubstance Use Disorder: A Longitudinal Case Report," Psych Congress Journal (2026)
• "Discontinuing Extended-Release Buprenorphine: Participant Experiences From a Mixed-Methods Observational Study," Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports (2026)
• "Strategies for Cutting Down and Stopping Alcohol Use," Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders (2024)
• HOOKED: A Concise Guide to the Underlying Mechanics of Addiction and Treatment for Patients, Families and Providers (Bright Communications, 2021; first edition 2016)
• Contributor, The Cambridge Handbook of Substance and Behavioral Addictions (Cambridge University Press, 2020)
• "Forced Medication for Death Penalty Appeals," Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (2009)

Selected Speaking
Dr. Podesta presents regularly at national and international meetings, including Psych Congress, Psych Congress Elevate, the Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Conference, SLEEP 2025, the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, and the International Conference on Addiction Medicine, Mental Health and Psychiatry, as well as grand rounds at Tulane and LSU. See Speaking →