The Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) congratulates Dr. Hughes Melton on his appointment as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) by Gov. Ralph Northam, MD. Dr. Melton previously held the position of Chief Deputy Health Commissioner at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), where he served for two years, and is currently the President of the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.

S. Hughes Melton, MD, MBA, FAAFP, DABAM, is a family physician from Bristol, Virginia who has been a dedicated member of the Medical Society of Virginia for 24 years. In 2016, he received MSV’s renowned Clarence A. Holland award for his accomplishments improving and safeguarding the well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth. His leadership and insight have been instrumental to MSV and its collaborative statewide efforts to combat the opioid crisis in Virginia which include his leadership as co-chair of the MSV Opioid Misuse Task force from 2015-2017.The MSV looks forward to seeing Dr. Melton’s expertise in this role advance and improve the quality of life for all Virginians.

Dr. Melton has been awarded the 2011 Family Physician of the Year from the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Servant’s Heart Award, the highest patient service award granted at Mountain States Health. He also served with distinction on the Medical Society of Virginia’s Board of Directors, as the President of the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation, and as Director of the MSVPAC Board. In 2008, he was selected as a Claude Moore Physician Leadership Institute (PLI) Fellow by MSV.

He earned his medical degree from University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where he also, in 1996, completed his residency. In 2012, he earned an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, also in Charlottesville.