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Harold "Doc" South

Harold "Doc" South

Dr. Harold "Doc" South was a psychiatrist in Alaska, beginning in 1971 at the state's mental health center in Fairbanks and then at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) in Anchorage until his retirement in 1986. He is also known for his passion for traditonal music. He has been credited with reviving old-time and bluegrass music in Alaska in the 1970s. In 2010, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Alaska Legislature for his contributions in spreading interest in traditional music and dance across the state. In 2014, the Fairbanks Folk Festival was dedicated in his honor and he also received a lifetime achievement award from the Fairbanks Arts Association and Interior Alaska Mayors. Doc passed away on January 18, 2015 in Fairbanks, Alaska. For more about Harold "Doc" South, see his obiturary in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner newspapaer.
Date of Birth:
Jan 9, 1928
Date of Death:
Jan 18, 2015
Harold "Doc" South appears in the following new Jukebox projects:
Interview Title Abstract Archive #: Oral History Project Date of Interview
Dr. Harold South, Part 1

Harold "Doc" South was interviewed by William Schneider and Karen Brewster on December 8, 2010 at his home in Palmer, Alaska. In this interview, Doc talks about his many years of working as a psychiatrist in Alaska, beginning in 1971 at the state's mental health center in Fairbanks and then at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) in Anchorage until his retirement in 1986. He describes API, bringing patients in from villages, and the facility's quality of care. He also mentions changes in the practice of psychiatry, involvement in court cases, development of community mental health centers, and the high rate of suicide in rural Alaska.

 2006-15-31_PT.1 Alaska Mental Health Trust History Dec 8, 2010
Dr. Harold South, Part 2

This is a continuation of an interview with Harold "Doc" South by William Schneider and Karen Brewster on December 8, 2010 at his home in Palmer, Alaska. This is the second of three tapes.

 2006-15-31_PT.2 Alaska Mental Health Trust History Dec 8, 2010
Dr. Harold South, Part 3

This is a continuation of an interview with Harold "Doc" South by William Schneider and Karen Brewster on December 8, 2010 at his home in Palmer, Alaska. This is the third of three tapes.

 2006-15-31_PT.3 Alaska Mental Health Trust History Dec 8, 2010