VCU Health System announces interim management appoiontments

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System today announced the appointments of William Kerr as interim chief executive officer of MCV Hospitals and MarieAnn North as interim executive director of MCV Physicians.  Both are senior executives from The Hunter Group, a consulting firm that is assessing VCUHS management and operations.

“The VCU Health System is benefiting greatly from its consultation with The Hunter Group,” said Dr. Eugene P. Trani, president of VCU and VCUHS.  “Our moving forward with these interim appointments reflects our commitment to act upon their sound and well-respected advice.”

Kerr has been senior vice president of The Hunter Group.  He joined the consulting firm after 20 years as CEO of the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.  Kerr is a recognized leader in academic medical centers and is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.  Kerr replaces Donna Katen-Bahensky, who has accepted the position of chief executive officer and director of the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.  Kerr’s appointment is effective Aug. 5.

In response to a Hunter Group recommendation to strengthen the faculty practice plan, MarieAnn North will serve as interim executive director of MCV Physicians, effective Aug. 14.  With more than 15 years health care experience in physician group practice administration, she has held executive positions in managed care settings and with multi-specialty group practices.  North has been CEO at Presbyterian Healthcare Associates in Charlotte, N.C., where she was responsible for the operations and finance of a nonprofit organization that employed 150 physicians.  She previously worked with practice groups at the University of Pennsylvania, UCSF and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“I am delighted that we are able to access the quality of leadership from experienced administrators, such as Ms. North and Mr. Kerr, on an interim basis,” said Dr. Sheldon M. Retchin, VCUHS senior executive vice president and chief operating officer.  “They will be helpful in assisting us in implementing the recommendations from their firm.”

A national search will be conducted for both positions.