Dr. Danny Avula, a pediatrician and a dedicated Richmond resident, is set to take office as mayor of one of the U.S.’s historic cities, Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Avula, known for his dedication to public health, has spent over two decades working to foster Richmond’s well-being and vibrancy. “I have fought to make Richmond a healthy and thriving city for more than two decades,” Dr. Avula states, emphasizing his hands-on experience with Richmond’s diverse communities and his ability to unite both public and private partners for the city’s progress.
Richmond, incorporated in 1742, holds a significant place in U.S. history. Dr. Avula, an Indian American, now leads the city with a focus on affordable housing, safety, transportation, and climate resiliency. According to his campaign, his vision includes making strides in creating accessible, affordable housing options, bolstering public safety, enhancing public transport systems, and developing climate-resilient neighborhoods across Richmond.
Through his social media, Dr. Avula expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him: “Richmond! Thank you so much for putting your trust in me as the next mayor of our amazing city,” he shared on X. His campaign website biography reveals his journey as a public health leader. For 12 years, Dr. Avula worked with Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, serving as director for six of those years, focusing on critical areas like maternal and childhood health, reproductive care access, and community safety initiatives.
Dr. Avula’s contributions were particularly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2021, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam appointed him to lead the state’s COVID-19 vaccination program. Under Dr. Avula’s direction, Virginia’s vaccination ranking rose from 50th to among the top 10 states, according to his campaign biography, which credits his leadership for the successful rollout.
Beyond health services, Dr. Avula also served as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services, where he introduced reforms to help reduce family poverty. His initiatives included legislative advocacy to modernize systems, replace outdated IT infrastructures, and improve government employee training programs.
Throughout his career, Dr. Avula has been recognized by his community and peers. He was named one of Richmond’s “Top Docs” each year from 2013 to 2022 and earned recognition as Person of the Year by Richmond Times-Dispatch in 2019 and Style Weekly’s Richmonder of the Year in 2020.
Dr. Avula’s background is rooted in a unique immigrant experience. His father, originally from rural India, came to the United States at 19, joining the U.S. Navy and later working with Dr. Avula’s mother for the Department of Defense. Dr. Avula pursued a biology degree at the University of Virginia, completed medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University, and furthered his education in public health with a Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. He and his wife, Mary Kay, share a family of five children, and his journey reflects a commitment to serving Richmond’s community through both public health and governance.
