VCU news

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley
Division of University Relations

Virginia Commonwealth University today announced that Marsha D. Rappley, M.D., will serve as Virginia Commonwealth University vice president for health sciences and CEO of the VCU Health System, effective Aug. 15.

In the position, Rappley will lead Virginia’s most comprehensive academic health sciences enterprise, which includes the VCU health system hospitals and outpatient clinics; the physician practice plan; the Medicaid health plan; the schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Allied Health Professions; and the Massey Cancer Center.

Rappley currently serves as dean of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, with clinical, research and medical education operations at six campuses throughout the state that are affiliated with nine health systems and other health care providers.

During her 10 years as dean, research funding from the National Institutes of Health and other federal entities has doubled. Endowments have grown by 80 percent over the past four years and the medical school has expanded to serve virtually every corner of Michigan.

Rappley is a national leader in academic medicine, recently elected as chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges board of directors and currently serves as chair of the council of deans. She also serves on the Research Advisory Panel of the AAMC, advocating for support of NIH and the anchor academic institutions like VCU, where this work is carried out in health systems and laboratories every day. Rappley previously served on the board of directors for the Association for Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, the American Board of Pediatrics sub-board for developmental and behavioral pediatrics and chair of U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s pediatric advisory committee. She recently completed six years on the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which accredits U.S., Puerto Rican and Canadian medical schools.

“I am very pleased that we have recruited such an inspirational, deeply experienced leader, clinician, and educator who is prepared to join an exceptionally strong team at VCU to lead effectively amid heath care industry challenges and to set the course for growing our research, education and clinical care missions,” said Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of VCU and the VCU Health System. “Dr. Rappley has established herself as a leader in academic medicine who influences the national dialogue on health care policy, research and practice.  She will be an ideal partner in advancing VCU and its academic medical center to national preeminence.”

Rappley, also a tenured professor of pediatrics and human development, has consistently been named a Top Doc and Best Doctors in America by her peers. She has been recognized for distinguished service by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her much-cited research has focused on children with ADHD, learning problems and other serious mental health challenges.

“This is an opportunity to lead the nation by example, marshaling the power of superb education and research with the highest quality of health care, directed at those most in need of services,” Rappley said. “VCU sets a high bar for excellence, focused on the enrichment of human capital for the people of Richmond and Virginia – and it commits to doing this with financial sustainability.

“This is truly a model that our country needs, and I am honored to help lead it.”

Rappley began her administrative career at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, rising through the ranks as director of various clinics, interim chair of the pediatrics and human development department, associate dean for academic affairs and then dean. She earned a nursing degree from the University of Michigan and her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Featured Photo above : Marsha D. Rappley, M.D. Credit Derrick L. Turner, Michigan State University