Dr. Raynard Washington has been nominated by Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill to serve as the next Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health. Dr. Washington will work alongside the incoming governor to focus on maintaining access to affordable healthcare, increasing transparency in healthcare pricing, and expanding both physical and mental health services for residents across the state.
Dr. Washington brings a broad range of public health experience to the role. He is currently the director of public health for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, a position he has held since 2021 after serving as deputy health director from 2020 to 2021. Before his tenure in North Carolina, Dr. Washington was chief epidemiologist and deputy health commissioner for Philadelphia and worked as a health research scientist with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthcare division. His academic background includes teaching positions at Temple University and American University, as well as degrees in biological science, chemistry, public health (epidemiology), and a Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh.
Governor-elect Sherrill commented on her decision: “I am honored to nominate Dr. Raynard Washington to be the next Commissioner for the Department of Health. A lifetime public servant, Dr. Washington will be essential in keeping our state healthy and safe. At a time when Trump and RFK Jr. are rewriting longstanding guidelines and undermining trust in medical care, it is critical New Jersey have experienced leadership to keep us healthy. Dr. Washington is exactly that type of leader, and I look forward to working with him to keep all New Jerseyans healthy.”
In response to his nomination, Dr. Washington stated: “Thank you to Gov.-elect Sherrill for her trust in me and the opportunity to serve the people of New Jersey. While Washington is attacking our public health institutions, New Jersey must do everything we can to protect the public’s health and safety, including providing reliable medical information, based in science. I look forward to working with the Gov.-elect to lower the cost and improve access to health care, and ensure the state’s public health system is prepared to respond to ongoing and emerging public health threats, while continuing its work to make good health possible for all New Jerseyans.”
