Distinguished Alumna Visits Campus

By Eric Peters

Just two weeks after President Barack Obama announced his intention to nominate her to the post of administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), VCU alumna Marilyn Tavenner returned to campus on Dec. 5 to speak with faculty, staff and students.

Tavenner, who earned her B.S. in nursing and her M.A. in health administration from VCU, spoke to a group of almost 50 about issues facing the nation’s healthcare system, CMS structure and goals, the Affordable Care Act and her own personal journey to arrive at where she is today.

“It's important to be talking to students, the future leaders of the health care industry, because of the incredible changes going on now that will shape this industry for years to come,” Tavenner said after the event.

Health administration student Katie Troxler was pleased to see Tavenner in a position to implement some of those changes.

“It’s encouraging to see that policy makers come from an operational background,” she said.

Tavenner’s career began in nursing at Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), where she eventually rose to the position of CEO at Johnston-Willis Hospital. Tavenner then moved to government service, serving as Virginia's Secretary of Health and Human Resources in the administration of former Governor Tim Kaine.

She served as principal deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services starting in February 2010. She is now acting administrator.

“Hearing [Tavenner] speak today showed me how well our program prepares alums for the workforce,” said Laura Kelsey, another health administration student at Monday’s event.

Tavenner agreed that the university played an integral role in her success and said she wants to see its graduates following in her footsteps.

“VCU and the Health Administration Department gave me the solid foundation I needed to follow the career path I’ve chosen,” she said.  “And I hope that students in this line of study will consider the option of public service."