Karah L. Gunther

Karah joined the Office of Government Relations in March 2012. As Director of Government Relations, Karah plans, coordinates and executes an overall government relations program for the Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health System. Karah assists with legislative and budget advocacy at both the state and federal levels. She works with the Governor’s Administration, the Virginia General Assembly and the Virginia Congressional Delegation on issues of health care policy, including Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, physician issues, and health care regulatory matters.

Karah previously served as Senior Health Policy Analyst for the VCU Office of Health Innovation. While working in this capacity, Karah coordinated the development of health reform education and implementation strategies for the VCU Health System. In March 2012, the Senior Health Policy Analyst position was merged with the Director position in the Office of VCU Government Relations.

Prior to joining VCU, Karah served as the Director of the Coordination of Care Department at Bon Secours Richmond Health System where she worked collaboratively with hospital operational leaders and local physician practices to coordinate the delivery of outpatient diagnostic services. As Director, Karah was responsible for overall business development of the program, as well as management of central scheduling staff. Karah also served as the system-wide operational lead for all legal compliance issues pertaining to the program.

In addition, Karah worked as a health care attorney for Hancock, Daniel, Johnson & Nagle, P.C. where she represented individual health care professionals before the Virginia health care regulatory boards in disciplinary and licensing matters, as well as institutional providers in reimbursement disputes before the Virginia Department of Medicare Assistance Services (DMAS). Karah also worked with the firm’s Government Relations team in advocating for health care clients before the Virginia legislature.

Karah earned her Juris Doctorate from Washington and Lee University School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude. She also holds a Masters in Health Administration from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. Karah received her B.A. from the University of Virginia.