Dr. William A. Hazel, Jr.
2018 Legend of northern virginia
William A. Hazel Jr. MD practiced orthopedic surgery in Northern Virginia until becoming Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia in January of 2010. He completed his second term in January of 2018 after serving under one Republican and one Democrat Governor. In that role, he oversaw eleven state agencies including such diverse programs as Medicaid, Behavioral Health, Social Services, as well as Aging and Rehabilitation. These agencies accounted for approximately one-third of Virginia’s state budget.
During his first term as Secretary, Dr. Hazel led the Virginia Health Reform Initiative and helped establish the Virginia Center for Health Innovation. He continues to serve as the Founding Chair of ConnectVirginia, Virginia’s health information exchange. Dr. Hazel negotiated an agreement with the Department of Justice to improve community services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In his second term as secretary, Dr. Hazel devoted attention to developing alignment and coordination between agencies and Secretariats. He co-Chaired the first Children’s Cabinet in Virginia and co-Chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Prescription Drug and Heroin Abuse. He advocated for strengthening Virginia’s behavioral health system and for increased access to care for low-income Virginians.
Throughout his tenure, he worked worked extensively on data-sharing initiatives, in an effort to better inform policy and budget decisions. The opioid epidemic and early childhood development are two areas of special focus for him.
Dr. Hazel grew up in Fauquier County on the family farm. He received his BS in Civil Engineering at Princeton University in 1978. He earned his Medical Degree at Duke University School of Medicine in 1983 and completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the Mayo Clinic in 1988 before returning home to Virginia.
As a founding member of Commonwealth Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Dr. Hazel gained extensive experience working in our health care system while helping to lead a large group practice.
Dr. Hazel has served as a Trustee of the American Medical Association, Speaker and President of the Medical Society of Virginia, President of the INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital Medical Staff, and Chair of the Medical Affairs council of the INOVA Health System.
His professional experience includes working as a team physician for the Chantilly High School Chargers, serving as an Assistant Orthopedic for the Washington Redskins football team, and serving as team physician for DC United.
Dr. Hazel lives with his wife, Cindy, in Oakton, Va. They have two grown children and two very cute granddaughters.