Russell J. Ledet, MD, PhD, MBA, is a Triple Board Resident in Pediatrics, General Psychiatry, and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine. He earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology from Southern University, his PhD from New York University, and his MD and MBA from Tulane University.

Dr. Ledet is the creator of the Inner Words™ EMPOWER Program, a culturally grounded behavioral health initiative designed for youth and adults in justice-involved settings. His work blends clinical psychiatry, cultural identity, and systems-level collaboration with courts, detention leadership, and community agencies to strengthen emotional intelligence development and improve mental health outcomes for marginalized youth.

He is also a co-founder of The 15 White Coats, an internationally recognized organization committed to diversifying medicine, reshaping cultural narratives of Black excellence, and expanding pathway opportunities for underrepresented students. His advocacy, scholarship, and storytelling have been featured nationally on Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, CNN, BBC, People Magazine, and numerous other media outlets, expanding the reach and visibility of his work in mental health, representation, and community empowerment.

Across clinical care, public scholarship, and national media influence, Dr. Ledet’s work centers cultural resonance, relational authenticity, and system accountability as essential components of effective psychiatric care and behavioral health transformation.