CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Department of Health has announced the departure of Dr. Matthew Christiansen from his role as the state health officer. Dr. Christiansen’s last day with the department was Friday, December 13, 2024.
Dr. Christiansen reflected on his tenure with gratitude, stating, “I am incredibly thankful to Governor Justice and Secretary Young for the opportunity to serve as West Virginia’s state health officer. It has been the honor of a lifetime. I am incredibly proud of the work we have done in rebuilding public health after the pandemic, and I plan to bring the lessons I’ve learned here to my work going forward. Public health staff are unsung heroes who keep us healthy, and they deserve our respect and thanks every single day.”
Cabinet Secretary Sherri A. Young, D.O., MBA, FAAFP, commended his service, saying, “I would like to thank Dr. Christiansen for his time serving as state health officer. We wish him nothing but the best as he explores new opportunities.”
During his tenure, Dr. Christiansen prioritized rebuilding relationships with public health stakeholders. He visited all 48 local health departments in the state and launched monthly engagement calls to improve coordination across West Virginia.
Dr. Christiansen also spearheaded several significant initiatives, including:
•Establishing outcome measures for every office and division within the Bureau for Public Health (BPH).
•Launching West Virginia’s first anti-vaping campaign targeting youth.
•Restructuring the Fatality-Mortality Review Team process.
•Coordinating additional support for local health departments.
•Developing evaluation standards for local health services.
Dr. Christiansen’s departure marks the end of a period of revitalization within the state’s public health system. His contributions leave a lasting impact as West Virginia continues to address health challenges and opportunities for improvement.
