New Interim Administrator Takes Charge at CMS

A nurse with years of experience as a health care executive is replacing Donald Berwick, MD, as acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Marilyn Tavenner, RN, MHA, will assume her duties today. Dr. Berwick resigned on November 18, 2011, after Republicans blocked his confirmation in the Senate.

A native of Henry County, Virginia, Tavenner began her career in health care as a nurse and worked her way up to become an executive with Hospital Corporation of America. In 2006, she entered public service as Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Commonwealth of Virginia. In February 2010 she was named CMS’s principal deputy secretary and helped oversee Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

President Obama nominated Tavenner to succeed Dr. Berwick last week. She holds a Masters in Hospital Administration and will serve as interim CMS Administrator during her confirmation process.

 
 

Share this Post