Amjad resigns as W.Va. health commissioner | News, sports, jobs

Amjad

CHARLESTON — Dr. Ain Amjad, the health official who helped lead West Virginia through much of the COVID-19 outbreak, is stepping down but will continue to advise future Gov. Jim Judge.

In a virtual briefing with reporters at the state Capitol building on Tuesday, Justice announced that Amjad is stepping down as state health officer and commissioner of the Office of Public Health at the Office of Health and Human Resources.

Instead, Amjad will step into the role of contract consultant on public health and report directly to the governor’s office starting Oct. 1.

“She will resign as a state employee and serve on contract as a senior advisor to the state health officer and commissioner of the Office of Public Health.” Justice said. “When you are stepping down, you are not going anywhere and leaving us… We are grateful for her amazing service. She did a whale of a job.”

A native of Raleigh County and a graduate of Oldrow Wilson High School, Amjad earned a master’s degree in medicine from Marshall University and a master’s degree in public health from West Virginia University as an internal medicine specialist. She manages two practices in Beckley and Princeton and has practiced medicine in Southwest Virginia for ten years.

Amjad is running for public office in the 2018 Republican primary for the 3rd Congressional District. Justice appointed Amjad as Government Health Officer in July 2020. Amjad will return to her clinic practice in Southwest Virginia.

“Serving with you and our entire team on the Pandemic Leadership Team as well as DHHR has been a highlight of my career.” Amjad for justice. “I miss my patients. That’s a great bond for me and a great way to find out what’s going on. I miss my part of this role, but I’m very happy to stay in my job and serve as needed and as long as I can.”

The Office of Public Health is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Resources that reports to Secretary Bill Crook.

The office oversees several agencies, including the Office of Epidemiology and Preventive Services and the state laboratory in South Charleston.

“She will continue to provide medical care and work as a state health officer until a permanent replacement is in place.” Crook said. “Dr. Amjad has been an invaluable member of the DHHR leadership team and to me personally.

In the year He replaced Dr. Kathy Slemp, who resigned for four months in the summer of 2020 due to the Covid-19 outbreak, in Amjad’s position, which began in March 2020.

Slemp resigned after the Justice Department expressed concern over the handling of Covid-19 data and inconsistencies in the number of active cases.

“Dr. Amjad stepped up when we really needed someone.” Justice said. “She’s so talented it’s off the charts. And very kind and good in everything you do” …