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RHHD Announces Dr. Melissa Viray as Acting Health Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 6, 2026
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) announce that Deputy Director Melissa Viray, M.D., is serving as acting health director. Dr. Viray steps in for Elaine Perry, M.D., who now serves as chief deputy commissioner for Community Health Services. Dr. Perry joined RHHD as health director in July 2022 and became Central Region health director in Oct. 2024.

Dr. Viray became RHHD’s deputy director in March 2017 and served as acting director for 18 months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to RHHD, she was the deputy state epidemiologist for the Hawaii Department of Health and previously worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an epidemic intelligence service officer.

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

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs.

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