Avula leaving Henrico to become director of Virginia Department of Social Services

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Danny Avula is leaving his position to become the director of the Virginia Department of Social Services, local and state officials announced Friday.

Avula was named to the new role by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. He will be replaced at the RHHD beginning next week by Melissa Viray, who will serve as acting director as she has for much of the past year or so, after Avula was named the state’s vaccine coordinator.

Avula had served his role at the RHHD since March 2016, after previously serving as deputy director for the seven years prior to that.

Avula continues to practice clinically as a public health physician specializing in pediatrics and preventive medicine and is an affiliate faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University. Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe appointed Avula to the State Board of Social Services in 2013, and he served as board chair from 2017 to 2019.

“I’m incredibly excited to serve Virginia in this new capacity with the Department of Social Services; so much of the support that ultimately impacts families’ health and resilience lies within DSS,” said Avula. “That said, it’s bittersweet to close out my time with Richmond and Henrico Health Districts. It’s been life-giving to see the dedication of my team and all they’ve been able to accomplish; I’m in awe of them and am proud to have worked alongside them. Richmond and Henrico communities are left in capable and caring hands.”

Viray has served as deputy director of RHHD since 2017 and previously served as the deputy state epidemiologist for the Hawaii Department of Health. She has previously worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an epidemic intelligence service officer and as a medical epidemiologist.

Viray completed her adult infectious diseases fellowship at Washington University in Saint Louis, her internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, her medical education at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and her undergraduate education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“I know that all of RHHD staff join me in congratulating Dr. Danny Avula and in expressing gratitude for his leadership. His leadership has been transformative in RHHD becoming the agencies they are today,” Viray said. “I am honored and humbled to serve our communities as acting director. I’m also incredibly grateful for the incredible group of leaders I get to work with everyday; this is truly a team effort and a collaborative leadership model.”