Timothy G. Benson '00M (MD)

Dr. Timothy G. Benson was an extremely successful psychiatrist, author, and motivational speaker. In his private practice, he specialized in treating elite athletes and high-achievers in business and academia. He was a clinical instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School for over 10 years, and was medical director of several addiction facilities. Benson passed away in August 2019 from an aneurysm at the age of 47.

Benson attended Hampton University on a full football scholarship. He was a three-time NCAA Football Academic All-American and was inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame as a scholar athlete. Benson earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He completed residencies in adult psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital, where he was the chief resident of addictions in his final year.

Based on his experience with professional athletes, Benson believed in the importance of building a strong mental foundation in younger elite athletes so that their personal development kept pace with their professional development. His book, Surviving Success, opened up a much-needed dialogue about the challenges of being in the spotlight as a professional athlete, allowing him the opportunity to speak to several professional sports teams. This topic also attracted colleges and high schools that recognized the need for their students to learn how to manage the pressures of maintaining high performance. In 2018, he became the assistant medical director for the NBA/NBPA Player Assistance/Anti-Drug Program where he worked with NBA teams across the nation.

He was survived by his wife and twin boys.