VCU news

By Anne Buckley

The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System has named Sheryl Garland as vice president of health policy and community relations.

Formerly vice president of community outreach for the VCU Health System and administrative director in the VCU Center on Health Disparities, Garland has focused on developing relationships on the federal, state and local levels to address the access and funding needs of vulnerable populations for more than eight years.

Garland’s new role will support the recent restructuring of VCU’s Office of Government Relations, led by Executive Director Mark Rubin. She will assist Rubin and his colleagues to expand the health system’s legislative services and establish a new organizational unit to coordinate innovative health system initiatives.

In addition to these duties, she will also focus on efforts to prepare for health reform, including novel educational programs and coordination of grant opportunities.   

“This new restructuring will enhance our ability to anticipate changes in government-sponsored health care and policies at the national, regional and local level,” said Sheldon Retchin, M.D., VCU Health System CEO and vice president for health sciences. “Our coordination of efforts with the university through Ms. Garland’s leadership will greatly enhance our effectiveness in advocating for the health system.”

Garland received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wake Forest University and her Master of Health Administration from VCU.