VCU Health System names new physician practice plan executive director

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority Board of Directors and the VCU Board of Visitors have approved the dual appointment of James J. Potyraj as executive director of MCV Physicians, the faculty practice plan of the VCU Health System, and associate dean in the VCU School of Medicine. 

Potyraj brings more than 20 years health care experience in physician group practice administration to the position.  He will manage the daily operations of the VCU Medical Center Ambulatory Care and MCVP, composed of nearly 600 physicians in 18 clinical departments. 

"We look forward to strengthening the faculty practice plan under Mr. Potyraj?s leadership," said MCVP President Richard P. Wenzel, M.D.  "He clearly stood out in a national search for the position in terms of the caliber of his experience and success as a health care administrator."

Potyraj, 54, has been executive vice president and chief operating officer of the West Virginia University Medical Corporation, the faculty group practice plan at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W. Va.  He also served as chief operating officer and practice administrator for UT MED, the Group Practice of Medicine at the University of Texas in Galveston.  Other experience includes senior administrative positions at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital and Clinics, Augusta; Sunlife OB/GYN Services, Durham, N.C.; Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), Port St. Lucie Hospital, Fla., and Fayette County Memorial Hospital in Washington Courthouse, Ohio. 

Potyraj received a Master of Health Administration from Duke University, and from Towson University in Baltimore, Md., a Master of Science in Zoology and Animal Behavior and Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Potyraj's appointment is effective March 1.