The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) is pleased to welcome Byron Kennedy, MD, PhD, to its Board of Representatives as the liaison from the American College of Preventive Medicine.
“Correctional health care is one of the most complex and underserved areas of our health care system, yet it has tremendous potential to improve individual outcomes and strengthen public health,” said Dr. Kennedy. “I’m honored to join the NCCHC Board of Representatives and look forward to supporting the organization’s work to advance evidence-based standards, promote innovation, and improve the quality of care for people in custody and the communities to which they return.”
Dr. Kennedy brings extensive experience in correctional medicine, public health leadership, and population health strategy. As the Director of Regulatory and Academic Affairs, Health Services Unit, he oversees regulatory readiness and performance evaluation supporting evidence-based healthcare transformation. Previously, as the Chief Medical Officer for CTDOC, he oversaw clinical operations across 13 correctional facilities serving approximately 11,000 incarcerated individuals.
Throughout his career, Dr. Kennedy has led innovative initiatives that have produced measurable improvements in correctional health care. Under his leadership, the Connecticut Department of Correction achieved a COVID-19 case fatality rate well below national benchmarks, implemented a hepatitis C elimination strategy with a cure rate exceeding 98%, improved diabetes outcomes through redesigned clinical workflows, and introduced statewide programs to strengthen medication safety, colorectal cancer screening, and resuscitation readiness for clinical staff.
Dr. Kennedy earned his MD, PhD, and MPH from Yale University and is board certified in preventive medicine. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, including articles in The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA Internal Medicine, and Public Health Reports, and is a frequent presenter on correctional health care.
