James B. Carr, DMSc, PA-C, PMP, serves as the District Health Director for the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District (RRHD), leading a multidisciplinary public health team in protecting and advancing the health of communities across five counties in Virginia. As the region’s Chief Health Strategist, he oversees all district operations—including clinical services, emergency preparedness, environmental health, and health equity—ensuring systems are resilient, data-driven, and centered on community needs.
Carr brings over three decades of leadership in federal and public health. Before joining RRHD, he served as Chief of the Medical Case Management Unit for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), where he led a team of 75+ professionals overseeing medical care for 80,000+ detainees nationwide. Under his leadership, ICE launched the United Patient Tracking System, secured millions in funding, and achieved historic improvements in clinical accountability and continuity of care.
Previously, Carr served at the Defense Health Agency, where he directed the DoD-HHS Partnership for Psychological Health Initiative, expanding mental health and traumatic brain injury services to 9.4 million military beneficiaries. At the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, he led teams that fast-tracked regulatory approvals for groundbreaking therapies, improving national access to treatments for gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases.
Carr is board-certified as a physician associate, holds a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) with an emphasis in Administrative Medicine from the University of Lynchburg, and is credentialed as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Managed Care Professional (CMCP). In 2022, he completed a four-year gubernatorial appointment to the Virginia Board of Physician Assistants, where he served as Vice Chair, advising on statewide policy, workforce standards, and regulatory strategy.
After 29 years of active uniformed service, including roles as a Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service and a U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps Officer, Dr. Carr retired from federal service in 2024. His contributions have been honored with numerous accolades, including the DHS Secretary’s Leadership Excellence Award, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and multiple unit commendations for transformational leadership in health systems.
A committed public servant and systems thinker, Dr. Carr continues to champion equity, innovation, and operational excellence in Virginia’s public health landscape.
Acknowledgments: This biography was prepared by LTC Sharon Denson and submitted on April 2020. It was updated in July 2025. The photographs are courtesy of Dr. Carr.
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