North Carolina, Raleigh- Victor Armstrong is, as of Monday, the first director of Equity in Health in North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
The NCDHHS established this position, as well as the Office of Health Justice To lead its approach to promoting health equity and reducing disparities in opportunities and outcomes for historically disadvantaged populations.
“The announcement represents another step forward in our commitment to mainstreaming equality in all aspects of our work and promoting an inclusive and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve,” DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said.
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As Director of Health Equity, Armstrong will serve as a member of the department’s executive leadership team and will direct the overall strategy and operational goals to promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
Armstrong will be responsible for developing, implementing, facilitating and integrating strategic justice initiatives into every aspect of programs, services, procedures, outcomes, and internal employee culture.
Likewise, it will be their responsibility to oversee the Office of Health Equity, the Office of Rural Health, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
“Equality of health exists only when all people have the opportunity to reach their full health potential and no one is disadvantaged by their status or other socially determined circumstances,” Armstrong said.
He is a member of the DHHS, which he joined in March of last year as director of the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.
He has at least three decades of experience in the human services field, primarily dedicated to building and enhancing community resources. He distinguishes himself as a nationally recognized speaker on topics related to health equity and access to health care.
for this part, Former state senator Angela Bryant to work alongside Armstrong To develop, implement and evaluate the work of equity management.