Marilyn Tavenner Nominated for CMS Administrator

The Obama administration announced that the President will nominate Marilyn Tavenner, currently serving as principal deputy administrator and chief operating officer of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to succeed Donald M. Berwick as CMS administrator. Administrator Berwick’s recess appointment expires on December 31, 2011.  Tavenner will serve on an acting basis as administrator during the confirmation process.

Ms. Tavenner, a nurse by training, spent 25 years working for the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA).  She began her career as a staff nurse and steadily rose through the ranks; becoming CEO of Richmond, VA based Johnston-Willis Hospital in April of 1993, and finishing out her service to HCA as president of outpatient services. Before being appointed to her current position with CMS, Ms. Tavenner served as secretary of Health and Human Resources for Virginia, a position she was appointed to by then Governor Tim Kaine. She received her diploma in nursing from Roanoke Memorial Hospital.  She later earned both her degree in nursing and a masters in health administration from the Virginia Commonwealth University.