In a significant move to enhance patient care and streamline regional health services, Fletcher Allen Partners and The University of Vermont have announced a transformative rebranding initiative. Fletcher Allen Partners will now be known as The University of Vermont Health Network, and Fletcher Allen Health Care will transition to The University of Vermont Medical Center. This strategic shift underscores a deeper integration and collaborative approach to healthcare delivery across Vermont and Northern New York, emphasizing the network’s commitment to academic excellence and patient-centered services. This name change also highlights the importance of programs like the University Of Vermont Fletcher Allen Health Care Program in contributing to the overall mission of the network.
This rebranding effort, approved by the boards of Fletcher Allen Partners, The University of Vermont, and Fletcher Allen Health Care, marks a new chapter for healthcare in the region. Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) will adopt the name “Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, The University of Vermont Health Network,” while Central Vermont Medical Center and Elizabethtown Community Hospital will similarly integrate “The University of Vermont Health Network” into their existing names. These changes, slated to take effect this fall, are designed to clearly communicate the unified nature of the network and its affiliation with a leading academic institution.
Dr. John Brumsted, president and CEO of both Fletcher Allen Partners and Fletcher Allen Health Care, emphasized the unifying purpose of this name change. “This new name reflects our teamwork – today and for the months and years to come,” he stated. He highlighted the tangible benefits of the partnership over the past two years, including improved care quality through collaborative efforts, substantial savings in supply chain costs, and strategic decisions regarding service allocation across network locations. By adopting The University of Vermont Health Network moniker, the organization aims to underscore its academic foundation and its dedication to providing seamless, high-quality care throughout its network, regardless of where patients access services.
The integration extends beyond operational efficiencies to bolster the academic mission central to the University of Vermont and its health system. Dr. Brumsted further noted, “The University of Vermont Health Network name also fosters the academic mission across the system.” The unified system creates an ideal environment for training future healthcare professionals – physicians, nurses, and other providers – in a coordinated and integrated clinical setting. This approach not only enhances the educational experience but also expands opportunities for crucial clinical research, furthering medical advancements and improving patient outcomes. Programs such as the University of Vermont Fletcher Allen Health Care program, although not explicitly named in the original announcement, are implicitly strengthened by this network-wide academic focus, benefiting from shared resources and a unified educational environment.
Tom Sullivan, president of the University of Vermont, echoed the positive impact of this collective decision. He stated that the rebranding will “enhance the local, regional and national reputations and quality of all of the entities that will bear The University of Vermont name.” By making the university’s involvement more visible to the public and patients, the initiative clarifies the strong partnership and the high caliber of care available. Patients in the region can be assured of access to a top-tier health network aligned with a nationally recognized academic medical center, committed to both exceptional patient care and responsible cost management.
The rebranding process was described as “thoughtful and inclusive” by Tom Robbins, chair of the Fletcher Allen Partners Board of Trustees. He noted that over a year was dedicated to collaborating with stakeholders to develop a brand that accurately represents the network’s objectives and vision. This careful consideration underscores the significance of the name change as more than just a cosmetic update; it represents a fundamental shift in how the organizations operate and present themselves to the community.
The name changes across the network are specifically designed to improve patient understanding and access. By clearly identifying each institution as part of The University of Vermont Health Network, patients can easily recognize affiliated healthcare providers. Market research indicated that a strong university connection elevates public perception of hospital quality and increases patient recommendations, reinforcing the importance of keeping care local.
Stephens Mundy, president and CEO of CVPH Medical Center and executive vice president for Northern New York, Fletcher Allen Partners, highlighted the tangible benefits of network collaboration, citing the integration of cardiac services as a prime example. This collaboration has streamlined care pathways for patients in Northern New York, directing those needing invasive cardiology services to CVPH Medical Center, while consolidating heart surgery programs at Fletcher Allen Health Care. Furthermore, the network is fostering the development of a family practice residency program at CVPH Medical Center, anticipated to significantly improve healthcare access in the region. This initiative, while not directly labeled as the University of Vermont Fletcher Allen Health Care program, is undoubtedly a product of the collaborative spirit and academic focus the network aims to embody.
Judy Tartaglia, president and chief executive officer of Central Vermont Medical Center and executive vice president for Vermont, Fletcher Allen Partners, emphasized the role of the Jeffords Institute at Fletcher Allen Health Care in enhancing quality preparedness across the network. The institute’s resources have supported CVMC in preparing for quality audits, ensuring consistent high standards of care throughout the network. This collaborative approach to quality improvement exemplifies the network’s commitment to excellence and patient safety.
Rod Boula, administrator and CEO of Elizabethtown Community Hospital, underscored the importance of continuity of care within the network. He highlighted the seamless transition for patients from community-based primary care centers to advanced services within the network, including at Fletcher Allen Health Care. The unified branding reinforces this seamless experience, assuring patients that they are within The University of Vermont Health Network regardless of the facility they visit.
Since its inception in 2011, Fletcher Allen Partners has achieved several key milestones, demonstrating the value of its integrated approach. These include:
- Integrating Fletcher Allen’s Jeffords Institute for Quality and Operational Effectiveness across the network to enhance quality improvement and patient safety.
- Securing over $5 million in savings through coordinated supply chain purchasing.
- Optimizing cardiovascular care delivery by strategically directing patients and consolidating services between institutions.
- Initiating the development of a Family Medicine residency program at CVPH Medical Center, alongside new medical student clerkships.
- Integrating specialists at CVMC and CVPH Medical Center into the University of Vermont Medical Group, further unifying clinical expertise.
The formal implementation of the name change will proceed with corporate filings and regulatory approvals in both Vermont and New York. A phased rollout of the new brand is expected to commence in late fall and extend over 12 to 18 months.
About The University of Vermont Health Network
The University of Vermont Health Network comprises four hospital organizations: The University of Vermont Medical Center (formerly Fletcher Allen Health Care) in Burlington, VT; Central Vermont Medical Center in Barre, VT; CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, NY; and Elizabethtown Community Hospital in Elizabethtown, NY. Through The University of Vermont Medical Center, the network maintains its crucial alliance with The University of Vermont, forming Vermont’s academic medical center. Established to foster a more coordinated healthcare system across the region, The University of Vermont Health Network is dedicated to improving access to high-quality, effective care close to home. Further details about the network can be found at www.fletcherallenpartners.org.
