February 20, 2025
Media Contact: Sharon Ortiz-García,
sharon.ortiz-garcía@vdh.virginia.gov
West Piedmont Health District Names New Director
MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Penny Hall has been selected to lead the West Piedmont Health District (WPHD) as director and began serving in that capacity on January 25. WPHD is one of 35 local health districts within the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and encompasses the counties of Franklin, Henry and Patrick and the City of Martinsville.
As director, Hall will organize, plan, direct, and manage programs to improve the district population’s overall well-being. This includes managing a team of 55 healthcare professionals and administrative staff and collaborating with other government agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers to develop and implement effective public health programs.
No stranger to the district and the communities it serves, Hall previously was the Chief Operations Officer for the West-Piedmont and Central Virginia health districts from 2019-2021 where she led the district during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing operational leadership, guidance, and oversight to eight local health departments.
She brings to the position 26 years of experience working in the Department of Social Services at both the state and local levels, where she worked in benefit and service programs. Throughout her career in Social Services, Hall served in key leadership roles including the Executive Director of the Botetourt County Social Services, the VDSS Piedmont Regional Director, and most recently as the VDSS Associate Division Director for Local Engagement & Support.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in human services with a specialty in Executive Leadership. Her diverse background has allowed her to understand the challenges faced in health and human service work at all levels. Her focus remains on quality customer service and working collaboratively with local county and city governments, community partners and stakeholders to achieve optimal, healthy outcomes that best serve the residents of Virginia.
“I am excited to be back working with the West Piedmont Health District,” Hall said. “I know that our public health professionals have our residents’ best interest at heart, and I take seriously our duty to make this the healthiest community possible.”
West Piedmont Health District has local health departments in Martinsville (Henry-Martinsville), Rocky Mount (Franklin County), and Stuart (Patrick County). The district is home to approximately 137,000 individuals and serves residents in five major critical needs:
- Women and Children
- Communicable Disease Control
- Health Consultation, Education and Screening
- Emergency Preparedness, and Environmental Health