Deputy Secretary/Chief Health Equity Officer
NC Department of Health and Human Services
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Debra C. Farrington, NCDHHS Deputy Secretary/ Chief Health Equity Officer is a native North Carolinian reared and educated in rural Columbus County. Through her humble beginnings in Chadbourn, Debra learned the value of family, hard work and perseverance. From her mother, who raised five children after being widowed at the age 28, Debra learned to work diligentl and never give up on your dreams. Debra’s values of fairness, equity, and concern for others along with her deep faith were shaped by her grandparents and mother, a factory worker who didn’t finish high school but earned her GED at the age of 45. With their love, support and guidance, Debra received a BA in Psychology and Master of Social Work degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. She is a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience in community-based services for children and adults with behavioral health needs.
Debra joined NC Medicaid in October 2016 as a member of the transformation design team and was later appointed chief of staff, providing support on overall program vision, leadership, and strategic direction. Several of Debra’s biggest priorities as chief of staff was to address equity in hiring, career advancement and health equity policies for individuals who had been historically marginalized.
As Deputy Secretary/Chief Health Equity Officer, Debra’s focus is on addressing health disparities and the health needs of North Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens. The Health Equity portfolio key objectives include building and maintaining trust with communities, engaging individuals and communities to receive feedback and input on health equity strategy and ensuring robust data is available and utilized to drive decision making, prioritization of strategies and resource allocation. The portfolio is made up of committed and insightful leaders and staff in the Offices of Rural Health, Health Equity, Olmstead and People, Culture and Belonging.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Monday, April 8, 2024
8:25 AM - 9:05 AM East Coast USA Time