Robin Gary Cummings, MD, who currently serves as deputy secretary for health services and state Medicaid director for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services will leave his post on June 5 to become Chancellor of the University of North Carolina-Pembroke on July 15. Dave Richard, the state’s top official for behavioral health services, will succeed Cummings as Medicaid director on June 1.
Cummings, a long-time North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) member, is a retired cardiothoracic surgeon, who earned his undergraduate degree at UNC-Chapel Hill, and his medical degree at Duke University Medical School. Cummings interned and completed his surgery residencies at Duke University Medical Center, then practiced cardiothoracic surgery at the Pinehurst Surgical Clinic and Moore Regional Hospital. He headed Moore Regional’s division of cardiothoracic surgery from 1999-2000 and its section of cardiovascular and general surgery from 2000-2003.
In early 2013, he joined the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services as director of the N.C. Office of Rural Health and Community Care. Six months later, he was named deputy secretary for health services and acting state health director. Since March 2014, he has had additional responsibility for the Division of Medical Assistance, overseeing Medicaid delivery for more than 1.8 million low-income parents, children, seniors and people with disabilities who cannot afford health care.
With Cumming’s departure, Megan Davies, MD, has been named acting State Health Director while continuing her role as State Epidemiologist, which she has held since 2009. Dr. Davies earned her Medical Degree from the University of North Carolina in 1991.
The search for a State Health Director is ongoing.