"Gov. Glenn Youngkin has suggested structural changes to the authority that oversees Virginia Commonwealth University Health system, several months after VCU Health paid $73 million to exit a project to redevelop an unused parcel of land downtown.

Youngkin called the failed plan to replace the Public Safety Building a “wake-up call” to the flaws in the governance between the university and the health system pertaining to large real estate projects.

In a letter to leaders of the General Assembly dated Tuesday, Youngkin recommended replacing VCU’s president as chairperson of the health system board, reducing the number of doctors and eliminating legislators from the panel that governs VCU Health. In their place, he suggested people skilled in medical center administration, real estate, business and capital finance.

While they overlap, VCU and VCU Health are separate legal entities with separate boards whose members are appointed by the governor. VCU President Michael Rao oversees the health system board but does not have operational authority.

Youngkin suggested the role of heading the health system board be given to 'another individual with the experience and time commitment necessary to lead the board.' Youngkin suggested VCU’s president stay on as an ex-officio member.

Many of these changes would need to be passed by the legislature before they can be realized," reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.