Daniel Keith Winstead, MD

Daniel Keith Winstead, MD passed away at the age of 76 on August 10, 2021. He was born on December 30, 1944 to the late Daniel Sebastian Winstead and Betty Jane Keirsch Winstead in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended the University of Cincinnati (class of 1966) and the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (class of 1970). From 1973-1977, he served with the U.S. Army, working at the U.S. Army Hospital in Nuremberg, West Germany. During the thirty-year span (1983-2013) of his career at Tulane University School of Medicine, he worked as the director of Psychiatric Education, a professor of Psychiatry, and chair of the department of Psychology and Neurology. He was a member of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine and the American Association of Chairs of Departments of Psychiatry (2000-2002). He served as the former chair of the ACGME Residency Review Committee for Psychiatry, the Director of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (and also serving as the President in 2006), and President of the American College of Psychiatrists (2012). He was distinguished with various prestigious honors throughout the course of his career, including: The Psychiatrist of the Year (Louisiana Psychiatric Association), the Menninger Award (American College of Physicians, 2010), and the Presidential Commendation Award (American Psychiatric Association).

Dan Winstead was a larger-than-life personality known for his love of family, friends, travel, fine food, and live music. His sense of humor was contagious and his compassion for others was effusive. Dan moved to New Orleans in 1977 after serving in the Army, though the intention had been for him and his young family to eventually return to Ohio. However, New Orleans had a hold on him. He could often be found at favored restaurants around town, various music venues, and in the Gospel and Jazz tents at Jazz Fest. Always up for travel, his journeys took him throughout much of the United States and to four continents, racking up millions of frequent flier miles—he was even one of the first to achieve the status of “Million Miler” on Delta, and he knew all the New Orleans Sky Club team members by name. Dan was respected as a passionate educator in his field and was a teacher and mentor to hundreds of medical students, residents, colleagues, and both of his children who went on to careers in medicine. He was a loving grandfather to his three grandchildren and cherished his visits with them.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Jennifer “Jenny” Reiner Winstead, and his parents. He is survived by: his daughter, Laura Suzanne Winstead, MD (Doug); his son, Nathaniel Scott “Teddy” Winstead, MD (Amanda); and his three much-loved grandchildren, Sebastian Winstead (12), Ainsley Stirrett (9), and Connor Stirrett (6).

The family would like to give special thanks to Ricky Mitchell and the residents and staff of Poydras Home.

A private gathering to celebrate Dan’s life will be held later in the year. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to WWOZ in Dan’s honor.

To view and sign the guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com