Indianapolis Medical Society

John J. Wernert, MD, MHA, a psychiatrist, was the 132nd President of the Indianapolis Medical Society for 2005-2006. Dr. Wernert, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, received the John B. Schofield Volunteer Faculty Award for 2011 for his outstanding commitment for over 22 years to the Department of Psychiatry mission of education. Dr. Wernert began full-time medical practice of psychiatry in 1989. He obtained his M.D. degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1985 and his postdoctoral training included an internship and residency at the Department of Psychiatry of Indiana University School of Medicine. He also pursued his education in the fields of public management and health administration by obtaining postgraduate degrees at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs of IUPUI in Indianapolis. Dr. Wernert completed a Master's Degree in Health Administration from Indiana University in 1996. He is board certified in Adult Psychiatry, and has received added certification in Geriatric Psychiatry and Administrative Medicine. Dr. Wernert has been awarded Distinguished Fellowship in the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Wernert currently is performing Integrative Medicine consultations and Medical Management services for various facilities in central Indiana. He most recently served as the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for MDwise, Inc, a 300,000 member Medicaid Managed care plan covering the state of Indiana. Dr. Wernert is a geriatric psychiatrist, and works with adult and geriatric patients, primarily at facilities near St. Francis and St. Vincent's Hospitals in Indianapolis. Dr. Wernert also provides geriatric inpatient services at Westview Senior Adult Unit and Hancock Regional Hospital Reflections Unit. He serves as a clinical consultant to numerous nursing facilities and group homes in central Indiana. He has special interest in working in integrated settings with complicated medical patients, geriatric patients and individuals suffering from memory and behavioral disorders.

Dr. Wernert serves as the Chairman of the Drug Utilization Review Board for the Indiana Medicaid program.

Dr. Wernert has committed his leadership skills and time to many organizations. He served on the Indiana Medical Licensing Board and various state committees related to mental health and Medicaid services in Indiana. Dr. Wernert has also served in leadership in many medical associations and specialty societies. He is currently the Chairman of the American Psychiatric Association Political Action Committee and holds national leadership offices in the APA and the AMA. John is a past President of the Indianapolis Medical Society and serves as the current Speaker of the Indiana State Medical Association's House of Delegates. Dr. Wernert is currently a consultant for the Catholic Archdioceses of Indianapolis and Lafayette, Indiana. He serves on the Board of Overseers for the St. Meinrad School of Theology and is involved in men's ministry programs on the north-side of Indianapolis.

Dr. Wernert lives in Carmel Indiana with his wife Erin, and is the proud father of five amazing children (ages 1 - 25 years). He enjoys fishing, black powder shooting and is an avid Civil War re-enactor.