Governor Jim Justice today announced the appointment of Dr. Michael Brumage as director of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ (DHHR) Office of Drug Control Policy. DHHR Cabinet Secretary Bill J. Crouch will oversee the Office of Drug Control Policy.
“We have a West Virginian dying on average every 10 hours from an overdose,” Gov. Justice said. “I am confident Dr. Brumage will take the bull by the horns and tackle this crisis head on.”
Brumage has served as Executive Director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department since 2015. He is also Assistant Dean for Public Health Practice and Service at the West Virginia University (WVU) School of Public Health, as well as Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at WVU’s School of Medicine. Brumage holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and an MD from WVU. He earned a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from the University of Washington. He is board certified in internal and preventive medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, and the American College of Preventive Medicine. Dr. Brumage retired as a Colonel from the United States Army in 2015 after 25 years of service as an internal medicine physician and later as a public health physician.
“Governor Justice has asked DHHR to make the drug crisis our number one priority,” said Crouch. “I am absolutely thrilled to bring Dr. Brumage on board to help with this horrible crisis.”
Brumage’s appointment is effective immediately. Brumage replaces Jim Johnson following his retirement in January.
“The opioid crisis is the most challenging and damaging public health problem of my lifetime,” Brumage said. “The health, human, social, and economic costs are incalculable. We must tackle this challenge by bringing all our people together and systems to bear and reconnect with each other with open minds and open hearts. My charge will be connecting people and resources for the benefit of all.”