On December 2nd, Dr. Donald M. Berwick will step down as administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Replacing Dr. Berwick will be Marilyn Tavenner, who served as Berwick’s deputy principal administrator since April 2010. The first article I read about this development was last week on Reuters.com. Toward the end of the article, I read “Tavenner is a former Virginia health secretary and hospital chief executive. A nurse by training, she has been with CMS since February 2010, first as acting administrator and currently as principal deputy administrator." A nurse to head CMS? Yes!

Since last week, I’ve read more about the sequence of events leading to Dr. Berwick’s resignation as well as more about Marilyn Tavenner’s background and experience. In this blog post from the Washington Post, Tavenner’s path from ICU nurse to this nomination is chronicled in detail with comments from former colleagues describing her as respectful, quick-thinking, decisive, and hard-working. In an article on HealthLeaders Media, more former colleagues share their thoughts and feelings of Tavenner’s pragmatism, leadership experience, and decision-making skills. 

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has released a statement commending the White House for its decision to nominate Marilyn Tavenner, MHA, BSN, RN, to head CMS.  I’d like to join in on the commendation. Seeing a nurse take on such a prominent leadership role makes me feel proud – how about you?