CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Sentara Martha Jefferson announces their President, Rita Bunch, will be stepping down effective September 13. A Sentara release says Bunch is leaving to join Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The release says under Bunch’s leadership, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital opened the Sentara Martha Jefferson Outpatient Care Center – Downtown, providing essential services like Imaging and Primary Care and housing the new Sentara Martha Jefferson Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists practice. She also strengthened core medical service lines in partnership with Sentara Medical Group, collaborated with UVA to create the upcoming Pediatric Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Health Care outpatient clinic, and led a major restructuring of the Emergency Department to expand treatment capacity.

“Rita’s passion, integrity, and forward-thinking approach have been instrumental in advancing our hospital’s mission and nurturing the Caring Tradition,” said Carol Hurt, Board Chair of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. “Her compassionate leadership and commitment to both our team and the broader community will be missed. I am incredibly grateful for her many contributions, and I wish her all the best as she embarks on this new and exciting chapter.”
“It has been an incredible honor to serve the Charlottesville community and lead Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital over the past 2.5 years,” said Rita Bunch. “The dedication and passion of our team have been truly inspiring, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such committed professionals. I will always cherish the time I spent here and the meaningful impact we’ve made together.”

The release says Sentara is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and upholding the high standards of care that the community expects.