RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina’s new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Devdutta Sangvai, has officially been on the job for a week.
On Friday, CBS 17 sat down with him to discuss his journey to this pivotal role, his priorities for the state’s healthcare system, and how he plans to address the challenges North Carolina faces in the years ahead.
The transition to his new position was slightly less ceremonious than originally planned, thanks to last weekend’s snow and ice. Dr. Sangvai’s swearing-in ceremony, originally slated to take place in front of a crowd, was downsized due to the weather, with only a few close family members and former Health Secretary Kody Kinsley in attendance.
“Yeah, well, you know, it’s North Carolina. You never know what you’re going to get when it comes to the weather here,” Dr. Sangvai said when asked about the altered ceremony.
Despite the scaled-back event, Dr. Sangvai’s mission for North Carolina’s healthcare system remains the same, and his focus is now squarely on the work ahead. In our conversation, Dr. Sangvai outlined his top priorities as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, with particular emphasis on the strong foundation laid over the past decade.
“As I think about the top priorities, they’re really about continuing the foundational work that’s been laid over the last 8 to 10 years,” Dr. Sangvai explained. “I think we’ve done a remarkable job in North Carolina focusing on those things that are important.”
Among those priorities, Dr. Sangvai highlighted the expansion of Medicaid and the improvement of behavioral health services as key areas of focus. As a family doctor for over 20 years, Dr. Sangvai has seen firsthand how crucial these services are for both children and adults, especially in underserved communities.
“I’ve had the opportunity to take care of children, adults, and families, many of whom have benefited from the services we provide in NCDHHS. So I have that perspective of actually seeing how the end user benefits from the work we do,” Dr. Sangvai shared. “I’ve also been an administrator, so I bring a well-rounded perspective to this role.”
In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Sangvai’s experience includes his work with the North Carolina Medical Board, where he focused on improving access to care, developing the healthcare workforce, and enhancing care efficiency. These experiences have helped shape his approach as he steps into his new role.
Notably, Dr. Sangvai is also breaking new ground in North Carolina history as the first Indian American to serve in the Governor’s Cabinet. When asked about the significance of this milestone, he acknowledged the importance of representation but emphasized that his focus is on the work ahead.
“You know, I hadn’t really thought about it much until the statistic was brought forward to me,” Dr. Sangvai admitted. “When I paused and reflected on the career steps that have brought me here, it is truly an honor to represent that community as well.”
Dr. Sangvai’s appointment came after he applied for the position online, a decision he made after hearing about the opportunity and taking his chances. His experience in both healthcare delivery and administration ultimately made him an ideal fit for the role, and now he’s poised to lead the state’s efforts to improve healthcare services for all North Carolinians.
As the state’s health chief, Dr. Sangvai’s leadership is expected to guide North Carolina through ongoing challenges while strengthening its healthcare infrastructure for the future.
