VCU news

By Carissa Etters

Deborah Davis has been appointed CEO of Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Hospitals and Clinics and vice president for clinical affairs at VCU, effective Oct. 1. Davis will succeed John Duval, who announced his retirement late last week.

“Deborah is a visionary and strategic leader who will accelerate our momentum as a preeminent academic health center,” said Marsha Rappley, M.D., CEO of the VCU Health System and vice president of VCU health sciences, in a statement to the VCU Health and VCU communities. “Her performance has been outstanding. Having helped to establish our long-term vision and goals for the organization, Deborah is well-prepared for this health system executive leadership and university cabinet position.”

Davis joined VCU Health nine years ago as chief operating officer after a national search, which was part of succession planning for this position. Prior to VCU, Davis rose through the ranks during a 30-year distinguished career at University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina, now known as Vidant Health, culminating in the position of president, Vidant Medical Center, and vice president for corporate business development and innovation.

In her current role, Davis has been responsible for operational planning, policies and overall management of the hospitals – including administration, financial operations, patient care services, support services, clinical services and medical affairs. In the announcement, Rappley outlined Davis’ many accomplishments, including superb financial management, oversight of the successful move into the new Critical Care Hospital and the successful design and occupancy of the Children’s Pavilion, as well as the design and implementation of the health system-wide STAR Service initiative.

“I am very proud and delighted for the opportunity to provide strategic leadership to a premier academic medical center that lives its mission every day and to be able to work alongside such dedicated team members and faculty,” Davis said. “John Duval, through his leadership, created a strong foundation upon which we will continue to build to meet the needs of the population that we have the privilege to serve.”

Davis holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from East Carolina University. She also is certified as a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.