Marilyn Tavenner Visits VCU

Marilyn Tavenner, acting administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and two-time VCU alumna, spoke this week to a crowd of almost 200 at the Larrick Student Center.

In her second visit to VCU in as many years, Tavenner discussed opportunities for improvement in the United States health care system and fielded questions about health care reform and Medicaid from the distinguished faculty, staff and nursing and health administration students in attendance.

Tavenner, who earned her B.S. in nursing and her master’s in health administration (M.H.A.) from VCU, began her career in nursing in Virginia, where she eventually rose to the leadership of the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), as the 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, before becoming the Principal Deputy Administrator, and now Acting Administrator at CMS.

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