Victor Armstrong

Ph.D.

Chief Health Equity Officer NC Dept. of Health & Human Services

Victor Armstrong is responsible for promoting health equity, diversity, and inclusion across all the agency’s health and human services.

Expert Bio

Victor Armstrong serves as North Carolina DHHS Chief Health Equity Officer, with responsibility for leading the overarching strategy and operational goals to promote health equity, diversity, and inclusion across all the agency’s health and human services. He is responsible for developing, implementing, facilitating, and embedding health equity strategic initiatives into every aspect of DHHS’ programs, services, actions, outcomes, and internal employee culture; as well as overseeing the Office of Health Equity, Office of Rural Health, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Victor joined NC DHHS as Director of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Substance Abuse Services in March of 2020, with responsibility and oversight of the public community-based mental health, intellectual and other developmental disabilities, substance use, and traumatic brain injury system in North Carolina. Prior to accepting this role, Victor spent six years as Vice President of Behavioral Health with Atrium Health. Based in Charlotte, NC Victor had responsibility for operations of Atrium’s largest behavioral health hospital. Victor has over 30 years of experience in human services, primarily dedicated to building and strengthening community resources to serve individuals who have been historically marginalized. He is a nationally recognized speaker on issues regarding health equity and access to healthcare, particularly as it relates to individuals living with mental health challenges. Victor currently serves on the board of directors for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) of NC. He is also a member, and former board chair, of NAMI NC, and a member of National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Victor is a former member of the board of directors of National Council for Behavioral Health, i2i Center for Integrative Health, and RI International. ‬‬ Victor graduated, Magna Cum Laude, from North Carolina Central University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and received a Master of Social Work (MSW) from East Carolina University. He is the husband of Dr. Charletta Armstrong and the father of 3 sons, Carter, Alonzo, and Victor Jr. Awards and Recognitions: <ul class="courses__listing" style="margin-left:.5rem;"> <li>National Association of Social Workers North Carolina (NASW-NC) 2022 Social Worker of the Year</li> <li>Addiction Professionals of NC (APNC) 2021 DEI Leadership & Impact Award</li> <li>Mental Health America’s 2021 H. Keith Brunnemer, Jr. Award for “Outstanding Mental Health Leadership”</li> <li>Black Mental Health Symposium 2019 Mental Health Advocate of the Year</li> <li>Atrium Health 2019 Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Award</li> <li>East Carolina University School of Social Work 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award</li> <li>Pride Magazine 2018 "Best of the Best"</li> <li>i2i Center for Integrative Health 2018 Innovation Award for "Whole Person Care"</li> <li>National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NC, 2012 Mental Health Professional of the Year.</li> </ul>