Founded by Physicians to Redefine Post-Acute Care
We saw the gaps in post-acute care—inconsistency, lack of physician presence, and fragmented communication. We built kUrated Health to fix them.
Our Mission & Philosophy
To provide exceptional, compassionate medical care to residents of post-acute care facilities while supporting the clinical teams who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
After decades of practicing in post-acute care settings across Virginia, our founding physicians witnessed the same problems recurring: physicians spread too thin across dozens of facilities, inconsistent care delivery, and communication breakdowns that impacted patient outcomes.
Traditional physician staffing models weren't built for the unique needs of post-acute care. Facilities throughout Central Virginia struggled with physician groups that treated their partnership as just another contract rather than a true collaboration focused on excellence.
"We knew there had to be a better way to provide consistent, compassionate, and effective care. So we built it."— Dr. Michele Irons, Co-Founder
kUrated Health was founded on a simple principle: limit our practice to fewer facilities so we can provide substantially more value to each one. This intentional approach allows us to build real relationships, understand each facility's culture, and deliver the consistent, metric-driven results that post-acute care demands.
Our Partnership Principles
Five core principles that guide how we operate and define our partnerships with healthcare facilities.
No two facilities are identical. We work closely with your leadership team to understand your specific patient population, staffing model, and operational goals, then design a clinical approach that integrates seamlessly with your existing processes while driving measurable improvements.
We track what matters: Acute Care Transfer rates, readmission statistics, quality metrics, and patient satisfaction scores. Our monthly performance reports provide actionable insights that help you demonstrate ROI to your stakeholders and continuously improve care delivery.
Our physicians intentionally limit their practice to just a few facilities, allowing for substantial on-site time. This isn't about quick check-ins—it's about building relationships with your nursing staff, understanding your workflows, and being present when complex decisions need to be made.
We believe in transparency and partnership. Our physicians participate in your interdisciplinary team meetings, provide timely documentation, and maintain open communication channels with your administrative and nursing leadership to ensure alignment on care goals and operational objectives.
We don't just maintain standards—we help you exceed them. Through regular quality reviews, evidence-based protocol updates, and collaborative problem-solving, we work together to identify opportunities for improvement and implement systematic changes that enhance patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
Meet Our Founders
Board-certified physicians with decades of experience in post-acute care, committed to redefining what physician partnership means in healthcare.
Dr. Michele Irons
Internal Medicine
Dr. Michele Irons was born in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to the United States in 1987. She grew up in Richmond, VA and graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1996. She obtained her M.S. in biology in 1998 from Virginia State University including research in Biochemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University.
She continued her education at Drexel University College of Medicine and received her Doctorate in Medicine 2003. She completed her residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where she was appointed chief resident. Dr. Irons has over 20 years of Internal Medicine experience, board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, a fellow of American College of Physicians, and obtained certification as a Hospice Medical Director.
She enjoys abstract painting, being at the beach, traveling, movies, singing and spending time with her family.
"Dr. Irons has over 20 years of Internal Medicine experience, board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, a fellow of American College of Physicians."
Dr. Kavitha Krottapalli
Family Medicine
Dr. Kavitha Krottapalli is a family medicine specialist based in Richmond, VA, with experience in hospital medicine. She completed her medical degree at Siddhartha Medical College NTR in 1997, followed by Volunteering as a Research Associate at Medical College of Virginia contributing to research with her publications on mitochondrial KATP channels and cardio-protection.
She completed residency in family medicine at Western Michigan University Kalamazoo campus in 2001 and at MCV/Chesterfield Family Practice Campus from 2002 to 2005. She worked as a Cardiology Hospitalist and then joined the Hospitalist group. She has been practicing hospitalist medicine for the past 20 years.
She has experience in Hospice/palliative care and has been Associate medical director for the past 6 years. She has been a member of American academy of Family Practice. She enjoys Gardening and participating in community events.
"She has been practicing hospitalist medicine for the past 20 years."
Dr. Stephen Lane
Internal Medicine
Dr. Stephen Lane is an internal medicine physician based in Richmond, VA. He completed his medical training at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, followed by an internal medicine residency at Virginia Commonwealth University.
His work interest has spanned acute care, post-acute care, hospice, and geriatrics with a focus on memory care. He takes a patient-centered approach - customizing the care plan to each individuals' needs and values.
In his spare time, he most enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and learning something new every day.
"He takes a patient-centered approach - customizing the care plan to each individuals' needs and values."
Dr. Krishna Vanam
Internal Medicine
Krishna Vanam, DO is a board-certified internal medicine physician with over a decade of experience spanning the full continuum of patient care. He earned his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and completed his internal medicine residency at Wellington Regional Medical Center in Palm Beach, Florida.
Dr. Vanam's clinical journey has taken him from underserved, resource-limited hospitals in rural North Carolina to nationally recognized academic institutions such as Duke University Health System. His practice has included outpatient urgent care, inpatient hospital medicine, post-acute rehabilitation, and assisted living facilities. Beyond clinical care, he brings deep experience in leadership, utilization management, and process improvement initiatives.
Known for his compassion, collaborative spirit, and patient-centered approach, Dr. Vanam is committed to delivering high-quality, personalized care. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his wife and two children, experimenting in the kitchen, and working on his golf swing.
"Known for his compassion, collaborative spirit, and patient-centered approach, Dr. Vanam is committed to delivering high-quality, personalized care."
Ready to Elevate Care at Your Facility?
Experience the difference that dedicated physician partnership can make. Let's discuss how kUrated Health can help you achieve your quality and operational goals.