Home Blue Ridge Health District promotes Ryan McKay, who led district through pandemic
Region/State

Blue Ridge Health District promotes Ryan McKay, who led district through pandemic

Crystal Graham
Ryan McKay BRHD director
Submitted photo

The Virginia Department of Health’s Blue Ridge Health District has announced its new director – Ryan L. McKay, MPA.

McKay, an Albemarle County resident, began serving in the role in December.

McKay has more than 16 years dedicated to public health. He most recently served as the BRHD district administrator where he was responsible for overseeing fiscal processes, grants and facilities and resource management.

“I look forward to serving and helping to improve the health and well-being of everyone who lives in and visits the Blue Ridge Health District,” said McKay, BRHD.

Since joining the Virginia Department of Health in 2014, McKay has held other key roles within BRHD. He has served as the district’s emergency manager, senior policy analyst and district administrator. Most notably, he led the BRHD through the pandemic response efforts as incident commander for COVID-19 operations.

McKay has a Master of Public Administration degree from James Madison University and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Elmira College.

He first entered the field of public health with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in 2008, working in the office of emergency preparedness and response. Prior to joining public health, he spent five years as a social studies educator and coach in two school divisions in Virginia.

The Blue Ridge Health District is one of 35 health districts under the Virginia Department of Health. The BRHD has five health departments and one community-based clinic providing public health services to more than 250,000 people in Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties.

Support AFP




Multimedia

 

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]

Latest News

power grid electricity
Virginia Politics

SCC chair, heading up NextEra-Dominion merger review, is a former NextEra attorney

child vaccine
Virginia Politics

VDH on Trump order on MMR vaccines: He doesn’t know what he’s talking about

The Virginia Department of Health is telling us to go ahead and ignore Donald Trump on MMR vaccines, because he doesn’t know anything. “Virginia’s families should be able to trust that our vaccine recommendations are grounded in the best available science and focused on protecting the health and well-being of their children,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron...

seth trimble unc basketball
Basketball

ACC Basketball: UNC alum Seth Trimble taking ‘extra year’ to Louisville

UNC Basketball alum Seth Trimble, who played in the NBA Summer League last month, and has seen that the market for his services at the next level isn’t there, will try his hand at going back to college for another year, but not at UNC.

sting aew retirement
Etc.

We never got Sting-Undertaker: What other wrestling matches were we robbed of?

airplane in sky
Trump's America

Trump leaves press, staffers, military on Air Force One to die so he can fly in peace

voter at election polling place
Virginia Politics

Spanberger: We need poll workers for Election Day, now more than ever

uva football xavier brown
Football

UVA Football: Virginia has a lot of talent at tailback, which is good for the long haul