VCU Health System names new CEO

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System has named a new CEO.

Dr. Marsha D. Rappley will serve as VCU’s vice president for health sciences and CEO of the VCU Health System  beginning Aug. 15. She serves as dean of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Rappley replaces Dr. Sheldon Retchin, who left VCU earlier this year to lead Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center.

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine spans six campuses throughout the state and is affiliated with nine health systems and other health care providers.

During Rappley’s tenure at the school, its research funding from the National Institutes of Health and other federal entities doubled. Endowments also have grown by 80 percent during the past four years.

Rappley was 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 Association of American Medical Colleges.

Rappley previously served on the board of the Association for Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, 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.

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 research has focused on children with ADHD, learning problems and other serious mental health challenges.

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.