Leadership

Our leadership team is dedicated to advancing children's health in our community and is driven by a passion to put children first.

Elias Neujahr MHA MBA Elias Neujahr, MHA, MBA
Chief Executive Officer

Neujahr joined CHoR from CHRISTUS Health System, where he served as president of The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, affiliated with the Baylor College of Medicine, where he significantly improved quality outcomes and supported operational efficiencies. He led the growth of signature programs, including a congenital heart center, maternal/fetal health and expansions in neurosciences, oncology and orthopaedics. Neujahr also oversaw construction projects that transformed the hospital’s main campus and brought outpatient facilities to the surrounding community.

Prior to that appointment, Neujahr was vice president of operations at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and Physicians, part of Spectrum Health in Michigan. During his tenure, the hospital achieved multiple U.S. News & World Report best children’s hospitals rankings. Neujahr previously excelled in several roles at Women and Infants Hospital in Rhode Island, serving as director of ambulatory and physician services and associate vice president of clinical resources before being promoted to vice president of clinical resources.

Neujahr holds master’s degrees in both health care and business administration from the University of Colorado. He completed his undergraduate degree in exercise and sport science at Colorado State University.

Email: Elias.Neujahr@vcuhealth.org

Jeniece S. Roane, MS RN NE-BC Jeniece S. Roane, MS, RN, NE-BC
Associate Vice President of Operations and Associate Chief Nursing Officer

Roane plays an essential role on the executive team and within VCU Health’s leadership structure. Her extensive pediatric nursing and leadership career drive her work with our teams to enhance the patient experience and improve quality outcomes across our continuum of care. She is critical in crafting the vision for our new inpatient tower and will lead the execution of operational change for the new facility. Roane works with our quality teams to drive quality performance to the top decile.

With more than 25 years of nursing experience, Roane earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the VCU School of Nursing, and she is currently pursuing her doctorate in nursing. She advocates for our community’s children in her personal time as an active member on the boards of Ronald McDonald House Charities and Family Lifeline.

Email: jeniece.roane@vcuhealth.org

Bruce K. Rubin, MEngr, MD, MBA, FRCPC
Physician-in-Chief

Jessie Ball duPont Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Division of Pulmonary Medicine

Email: bruce.rubin@vcuhealth.org

Sharon W. Darby, DNP, RN, NHA, FACHE
Associate Vice President, Operations
Associate Chief Nursing Officer
Nursing Home Administrator
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU – Brook Rd Campus

Darby oversees operations in our post-acute, dental and outpatient rehabilitative services on the Brook Rd Campus and in the community therapy centers. Her career has focused on achieving high performing teams with quality outcomes . Her prior experience includes more than 20 years in nursing at VCU Medical Center, with 10 years serving in nursing administration where her managerial duties included newborn and pediatric intensive, intermediate and general care units. Darby has a doctorate in nursing and a masters in health administration and is a licensed long term care administrator.

Email: sharon.darby@vcuhealth.org

C.D. Anthony Herndon, MD

C.D. Anthony Herndon, MD
Co-Surgeon-in-Chief
Professor and Chief, Urology

Email: claude.herndon@vcuhealth.org

David A. Lanning, MD, PhD
Co-Surgeon-in-Chief
Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics
Division of General Surgery

Email: david.lanning@vcuhealth.org

Wei Zhao, MD, PhD, FAAAAI, FACAAI
Vice Chair of Clinical Operations
Pediatric Ambulatory Medical Director
Professor and Chief
Division of Allergy and Immunology