On Showing Up, Being Unapologetically Authentic and Choosing What’s Right for Each Season

Dr. Cameron Webb joined us for Batten Hour this week with no lack of topics to discuss. From his time as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, to law school and medical school, to his experience at the White House, to running for Congress, Webb has devoted his career to helping others by advocating for justice and equity.

“I think that UVA took my passion for social justice and raised it up a level,” shared Webb, who is an affiliated faculty member at the Batten School . “When I was here from 2001 to 2005 for undergrad, there were a lot of challenging racial dynamics at the university for one reason or another. It gave me a chance to apply what it looked like to be an advocate and an activist and that propelled me into what I did thereafter. It’s a special place, and it’s a place where you really can figure out what your voice is.”

Webb has moved on to use his voice and skill set in many ways while staying focused on his value system. He described equity and justice as his “animating ethos” where he can move things forward.   

In a conversation with Batten student Kyle Riopelle (MPP ’25), Webb talked about his wide-ranging career. Under President Biden, Webb served as senior advisor (2022-2023) and senior policy advisor for equity (2021-2022) to the White House COVID-19 Response Team. Prior to that, he straddled two presidencies as a White House Fellow. 

Webb enthusiastically shared his experience working in the Obama administration on the healthcare policy team and on the My Brother’s Keeper initiative. His fellowship continued into January 2020 under the Trump administration and a new political ideology. Recalling a story from that time, he said his desk was literally moved into the hallway one day. 

“The worst thing you can do when trying to silence someone is put an extrovert in the hallway,” he said, adding that General Collin Powell, an alum of the White House Fellowship program, helped frame his time under the Trump administration. Powell encouraged him and other fellows to focus on their public service responsibility regardless of whether people see things the same way or not. 

“So, I walked into the Trump administration planning to do my best,” said Webb. “I was just going to show up.” The strategy paid off for Webb, and he advised the Batten Hour audience of mostly students to do as he did — talk to people and ask questions.

At another point during his time at the White House, Webb attended a meeting with pharmaceutical companies where he challenged the CEOs in the room. As a result, he was later invited to work on a prescription drug pricing initiative. “I always brought my actual views. I didn’t hide who I am and what I believe, but I said, ‘In the context of your administration, I think we can all agree that prescription drugs cost too much, and that’s something I can help with.’ ”  

Once again listening to his passion and ethos, Webb’s commitment to serve led him to run for Congress as the Democratic nominee in Virginia’s 5th district in 2020. His announcement came nearly two years to the day after the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and was followed by the trifecta of COVID-19, George Floyd’s murder and a weakened economy. Webb talked about campaigning responsibly during a pandemic and regretting not being able to knock on doors in the larger counties in the southern part of the district where there was record turnout. 

While he lost the race by a relatively small margin, Webb says he will run again. He believes it is more a question about timing. “Politics is not going anywhere so it’s just a matter of me figuring out in every season of life, what’s my highest and greatest use?”

For now, Webb is weaving his policy experience and passion for equity with educating a new generation of medical professionals. At UVA’s School of Medicine, his many titles include Director, Health Policy and Equity, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Assistant Professor of Public Health Science.  

Webb and his wife met as undergraduate students at UVA, and they love being back in Charlottesville, he said. For this season in life, he is focusing on two other titles.  “At this point in time, it’s most important for me to be dad and husband.”