Lt. Col. J.D. Underwood talks with Brig. Gen. Paige Hunter, commander of the West Virginia Air National Guard, and Lt. Col. Mark McDaniel (center), 130th Medical Group flight surgeon after assuming command of the 130th MDG, Jan. 8, 2017 at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, W.Va. McDaniel was named West Virginia's state health officer on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. De-Juan Haley)
Mark McDaniel, a doctor of osteopathic medicine who recently retired as state air surgeon for the West Virginia National Guard, will be the next state health officer, the Department of Health announced Thursday afternoon.
“The role of State Health Officer is pivotal to the success of West Virginia as we work to make this beautiful state the best and healthiest place to live, to work, and to thrive,” Department of Health Secretary Arvin Singh said in a statement. “We thoroughly evaluated the candidates for this position and Dr. McDaniel rose to the top of the list as someone who genuinely cares for the health of West Virginians.”
According to the news release, McDaniel has 25 years of multidisciplinary medical experience in addition to his career in military and civilian health care leadership. As a civilian, McDaniel is a regional medical supervisor for AFC Urgent Care Centers in North Carolina and Virginia, as well as a Regional Medical Director of LabCorp Inc. He previously served as chief of aerospace medicine and senior flight surgeon for the 130th Medical Group at the McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in West Virginia.
“I am extremely passionate about improving the health of West Virginians. I grew up here; I have roots here, and I know that this state can be one of the best,” McDaniel said in the news release. “I look forward to working with Governor Morrisey and Secretary Singh to tackle long-standing public health issues that have plagued this state for far too long.
“Nationally, West Virginia ranks 49th in health outcomes and 46th for overall health. We struggle with obesity, chronic disease, and heart health, among many other serious health issues,” he said. “The Morrisey Administration has already proven that West Virginia is ready to make pivotal health changes, and I am excited to lead this vital work.”
The news release lists McDaniel as “acting state health officer.” A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said Thursday the distinction is so that McDaniel may take on the role without giving up seeing patients. The department interviewed several candidates for the role and the requirement that they not be engaged in any other business, vocation or employment was a dealbreaker for the best ones, Gailyn M. Markham, director of communications, wrote in an email to West Virginia Watch.
“That should come as no surprise given the importance of patient relations and the desire of physicians to remain current in their clinical skills,” she wrote. “The Department is open to working with the Legislature on statutory changes to address overly-restrictive job criteria that prevent the state from hiring the most qualified candidates for such critical roles.
As state health officer, McDaniel will be responsible for investigating diseases, epidemics and endemics, promoting public health, developing a state plan and other duties. He also becomes secretary for the state Board of Medicine.
McDaniel fills a position that’s been empty since former state health officer Dr. Matthew Christiansen resigned from the role in December 2024, weeks before Morrisey took office.
Christiansen had served in the role for nearly two years.
McDaniel will begin his role Monday.
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