Today, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill nominated Dr. Raynard Washington as the next Department of Health Commissioner. As Commissioner, Dr. Washington will work with the Gov.-elect to protect New Jerseyans’ access to affordable health care, bring transparency to health care pricing, and expand access to physical and mental healthcare, and lead critical public health initiatives for residents.

“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,” said Governor-elect Sherrill.

"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,” said Dr. Raynard Washington.    

Dr. Raynard Washington has served as the Director of Public Health Department for Mecklenburg County since 2021, previously serving as the Deputy Health Director from 2020-2021. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Epidemiologist and Deputy Health Commissioner for the City of Philadelphia and as a health research scientist for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthcare. He also served as an adjunct Professor at Temple University and American University. Raynard earned his Bachelor of Science in biological science and chemistry, Master of Public Health in epidemiology, and a Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh.