Matt Krauchunas, colonel (Ret.), and assistant professor, brings a blend of military leadership and operational expertise in health care administration to the College of Health Professions.

After serving over 32 years in the U.S. Air Force – and earning his Ph.D. in health services organization and research from VCU in 2011 – Krauchunas returned to his alma mater in 2024 to inspire the next generation of industry leaders.

"I’ve always been on the operations side of health care," Krauchunas says. “What I enjoy teaching and sharing with students is how the operational aspects of our field serve as a bridge – connecting the many different functions in health care."

Throughout his military career, Krauchunas took on roles that offered firsthand experience with the logistical and operational challenges in some of the most demanding environments. "My first five years as an officer, I was a medical logistician, basically supply chain management," he says. In this role, he was responsible for the movement of critical medical supplies and equipment in military hospitals, which helped lay the groundwork for his deep understanding of health care systems.

As a Colonel, Krauchunas tackled the complex leadership role, managing everything from aeromedical evacuations to large-scale hospital operations across military settings worldwide and more. “In military health care, the Air Force was already working on things like patient-centered medical homes, just like in the civilian world. So, there are a lot of parallels," he explains.
After retiring from the military, Krauchunas applied his operational expertise in the civilian sector, working for WellMed, a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, as a senior clinical program manager and director of clinical innovation. This combination of military and civilian experience gives Krauchunas a unique, in-depth perspective to share with his students.

"I have a lot of operational examples I bring into the classroom, and I try to make them as real as possible for the students," he says.

Paula H. Song, Ph.D., Richard M. Bracken Chair and Professor of Health Administration at VCU College of Health Professions, speaks highly of Krauchunas’ return to VCU. "We’re thrilled to welcome Matt back as a faculty member. His extensive military service and leadership in health care administration provide our students with invaluable real-world insights. His experience offers a unique perspective that prepares students to navigate the challenges and opportunities in their careers."

Having led diverse teams and managed large operations in the military, Krauchunas naturally developed a passion for teaching. "In the Air Force, especially as you move up the ranks, you're always teaching – whether it’s formally training junior officers or coaching enlisted members."

This leadership experience shapes how he engages with students today, blending academic rigor with practical, real-world problem-solving. Krauchunas emphasizes hands-on exercises that allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations – all to prepare them for the complexities of management in today's inpatient and outpatient environments.

"I’ve been incorporating role-playing exercises where students simulate real-world scenarios," he explains. "It’s about making the class interactive and relevant. I want students to be involved in their learning."

With a distinguished career of service spanning decades, Krauchunas is fully embracing this new chapter that is now dedicated to guiding students whose futures are just as bright.

“It’s those lightbulb moments – when something clicks for a student. That’s what makes it all worth it for me,” he says.