Dr. Marsha Rappley tapped to lead VCU Health System: 6 things to know

Marsha D. Rappley, MD, has been named Virginia Commonwealth University vice president for health sciences and CEO of the VCU Health System in Richmond, effective Aug. 15.

Here are six things to know about Dr. Rappley.

1. In her new position, Dr. 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.

2. Dr. Rappley currently serves as dean of the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Lansing.

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

4. Dr. Rappley was recently elected chairwoman of the Association of American Medical Colleges board of directors and currently serves as chairwoman of the AAMC council of deans. She also serves on the Research Advisory Panel of the AAMC.

5. Dr. 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 chairwoman of U.S. Food and Drug Administration's pediatric advisory committee.

6.  In a news release, Dr. Rappley said, "This is an opportunity to lead the nation by example, marshaling the power of superb education and research with the highest quality of healthcare, directed at those most in need of services. 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."