Mecklenburg County Announces Resignation of Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington
Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington will be resigning as Mecklenburg County Health Director effective January 20, 2026. Dr. Washington joined the County in March of 2020 as deputy health director and was promoted to director in 2021.
“Serving as Mecklenburg County Health Director has been an absolute honor,” said Dr. Raynard Washington. “I am so proud of our public health team and all that we have accomplished during some of the most challenging times for public health. While I’ll miss Mecklenburg County and my colleagues, I know the team here will continue the work to make health possible for everyone.”
During his tenure with the county, Dr. Washington had several notable accomplishments including:
- Coordinating with County and City agencies, hospitals, schools and employers during the COVID-19 pandemic and implementing a County-wide testing and immunization program emphasizing access by the most vulnerable communities.
- Establishing the state’s first Office of Violence Prevention and the strategic plan The Way Forward outlining a comprehensive, data-driven Public Health approach to reducing violence.
- Increasing access to critical public health services with expanded clinical services, mobile health units to provide pediatric dental services, HIV/STI screening and immunizations in community-accessible sites, and new partnerships with community-based safety net providers for primary care.
- Overseeing our community’s response to numerous infectious disease threats, including the 2022 mpox outbreak, which garnered national recognition and media coverage.
- Securing external funding to support the Department’s foundational capabilities through enhanced workforce development, renewed community engagement initiatives and maternal and child health.
- Hosting several notable convenings, including first-ever regional syphilis summit for healthcare providers, MeckDesign Day for community health improvement planning and CHW summit for local providers.
- Achieving Accreditation with Honors for Mecklenburg County Public Health by the NC Local Public Health Accreditation Board.
“Dr. Washington’s unique leadership style, expertise, and contributions to Mecklenburg County transcended his role as public health director”, said County Manager Mike Bryant. “An incredibly skilled and resourceful public servant, he played a vital role in helping our community navigate a series of health challenges and transitions. As I assumed my position as county manager, Dr. Washington was a critical member of my cabinet and transition team, especially during his time as interim deputy county manager for the County’s Consolidated Health and Human Services Agency. I am grateful for his immeasurable contributions as he joins the growing list of county leaders who have been elevated to serve at a higher level. We will miss him but wish him the very best.”
Dr. Kimberly Scott was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to serve at Interim Health Director. Dr. Scott serves as the Assistant Health Director of the Population Health Division. Dr. Scott has over 15 years of experience as a public health practitioner, working in various settings, including local government, nonprofit organizations, and academia.
It was just announced that New Jersey’s Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has nominated Dr. Raynard Washington as the next Department of Health Commissioner.