Dr. Haydee Kort

Media Releases

Get to know Psychiatrist Dr. Haydee Kort, who served patients in Pueblo, Colorado.

Dr. Kort is a retired psychiatrist from the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo. Making history, she became the first, and still the only, woman superintendent of the Colorado State Hospital and honored as one of the top hospital administrators in the nation. 

Back in the early days of her academic career, Dr. Kort graduated with her medical degree from the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the National University of La Plata in Argentina in 1957. She and her husband, Dr. Gregorio Kort, came to America uncertain of the future, and ended up making history in the field of mental health.

Newly married, with little but $200 and their medical diplomas in hand, they left Argentina in 1957 to gain experience as resident physicians in the United States. Their first jobs exposed them to the shocking and inhumane conditions in state mental hospitals, and also to a pair of charismatic bosses committed to reform. Excited by the opportunity to bring the treatment of mental illness out of the cruel practices of the 19th century, the Korts became psychiatrists and leaders in the field of mental health. 

In December of 2018, a book was published portraying their amazing journey and extensive expertise – “ Doctor H. and Doctor G.: How a husband-and-wife team of psychiatrists came to Colorado and helped transform the field of mental health”, as told by talented writer, Jean Torkelson. It tells a story of how “Dr. H and Dr. G” turned the Colorado State Mental Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado into a nationally recognized model for re-form known for its compassionate, individualized care of the mentally ill. It is also the story of “Goyo and Beba,” two young people, deeply in love, who took on the challenges of a new country and learned to work together professionally, while never forgetting the value of family and the rule “Home by Five.” 

Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders. These include various maladaptations related to mood, behavior, cognition, and perceptions. Psychiatrists evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They conduct thorough psychiatric evaluations, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication, and evaluate treatment results.

Honoring her expertise, Dr. Kort received the Gil Sanchez Mission Award in 2012.

Recommended Articles

• Nipple Piercing: Is It Safe?

  What Is Nipple Piercing? In the Western world, only the ears used to be pierced. The last 15 years, however, have seen an increase in the lifestyle and fashion trend of piercing parts of the body other than the earlobes. Nipples are among the locations chosen to be pierced, by both females and...

• New Herbal Patch May Help to Heal Canker Sores Faster

  According to a new study presented at the 85th general session of the International Association for Dental Research, a novel over-the-counter patch containing licorice extract may help in the quick healing of canker sores. In this study 46 participants who had recurrent canker sores were recruited....

• What Causes Blood to Show Up in Urine?

  Hematuria is the phenomenon in which traces of blood appear in the urine. It presents a unique problem because it is not a disease in itself. It is not infectious, nor is it capable of threatening a life. It is merely a warning sign that something is wrong inside the body. Though frightening in...

• What Is MRSA Infection?

  What is MRSA Infection ?MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection is a bacterial infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus that has become resistant to many of the antibiotics commonly used for the treatment of a staphylococcus infection (and is consequently called "the...

• Will I Get Chickenpox if My Child Has It?

  Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This virus often attacks the children, and it is often noticed by the blisters that are red and very itchy. The blisters are seen throughout the body. In the past, it was very common to have chickenpox when one was young....

• Alternative Treatments for Strep Throat

  Strep throat is contagious and is serious infection usually caused by streptococcal bacteria. Strep throat causes inflammation or swelling of the tonsils and the mucous membranes, which line the back of your throat. This complication is very common in children and less common in adults.The common...