Valley Health Systems, Inc. is proud to announce that Matthew Christiansen, MD, MPH, Vice President of Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, has been selected as a EveryChild NOW’s 2026 Health Champion of Children.
The award recognizes Dr. Christiansen’s leadership and meaningful contributions to the health and well-being of children, families, and communities throughout West Virginia. He will be honored during the 2026 EveryChild NOW Champions Luncheon at noon on Wednesday, October 7, at Edgewood Country Club in Charleston.
“Dr. Matthew Christiansen represents exactly the kind of leadership we hope to recognize through the EveryChild NOW Champions of Children Awards,” said Tricia Kingery, Executive Director of EveryChild NOW. “His career reflects a deep commitment to improving health outcomes, expanding access to care, and addressing the complex challenges that affect children and families across West Virginia. We are proud to honor him as our 2026 Health Champion of Children and to celebrate the lasting impact of his service to our state.”
Dr. Christiansen joined Valley Health in 2025. A dual-board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, he previously served as West Virginia’s State Health Officer and Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health and Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy. He also serves as Vice Chair of the West Virginia First Foundation Board where he advocates for accountable spending of opioid settlement dollars to break cycles of trauma, addiction, and poverty. He has extensive experience in clinical care, public health, health policy, and academic medicine.
“Healthy children are the foundation of strong families and thriving communities,” Kingery said. “Dr. Christiansen has consistently brought together clinical expertise, public health leadership, and a deep understanding of the challenges facing West Virginia families. His continued work at Valley Health Systems ensures that this commitment to healthier children and stronger communities remains at the forefront of his leadership.”
Dr. Christiansen said the recognition reflects the importance of collaboration in addressing the many factors that influence a child’s health and future.
“I am honored to be recognized as EveryChild NOW’s 2026 Health Champion of Children,” Dr. Christiansen said. “Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, supported, and prepared to reach their full potential. Making that possible requires more than healthcare alone, it takes strong families, schools, neighborhoods, and community partners working together. I am grateful to the many dedicated professionals and organizations across West Virginia, including my colleagues at Valley Health, who work every day to build healthier communities and brighter futures for our children.”
EveryChild NOW, formerly WV KIDS COUNT, has served as a trusted source of information about the well-being of West Virginia children for 37 years. The organization tracks child well-being across all 55 counties through five key pillars: Education, Economy, Health, Neighborhood and Connections.
The annual Champions Luncheon brings that work to life by recognizing individuals whose leadership and service are helping close gaps, strengthen communities and create better opportunities for West Virginia’s children and families. The event brings together advocates, business leaders, community partners, and supporters from across the state to celebrate progress and build momentum for the work still ahead. In addition to Dr. Christiansen, the 2026 honorees are Meghan Moses, Overall Champion of Children; Dr. Amelia Courts, Education Champion of Children; Terrell Ellis, Economy Champion of Children; Chad Morrison, Neighborhood Champion of Children; and Jim Matuga, Connections Champion of Children.
To learn more about EveryChild NOW and the Champions Luncheon, visit everychildnow.org.