Eappen Credits Teamwork and Focus on Patient Care for Workforce Development, eHealth Innovations
Vermont Business Magazine Sunny Eappen, MD, MBA, President and CEO of the University of Vermont Health Network, has been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review as a “CEO to Know” in rural health care.
With a relentless pursuit of innovation to address the longstanding challenges unique to rural communities, an emphasis on teamwork and problem-solving, and a focus on always putting patients first, Dr. Eappen has led the Network forward on initiatives to preserve and improve access to care in Vermont and Northern New York.
"I’m proud of the work my colleagues are doing to innovate and address the challenges that come with living in our beautiful rural area, and excited for the possibilities to come," said Dr. Eappen. "Our commitment to improving access, enhancing quality of care, and addressing health disparities is unwavering as we continue to evolve and adapt to the changing dynamics of rural health care."
Dr. Eappen’s team has made strides in enhancing digital access and strengthening connections among rural providers and patients. The implementation of shared electronic medical records, eConsults, and digital image archiving have facilitated communication and improved patient care.
In response to workforce shortages exacerbated by rural recruitment challenges and socioeconomic barriers, the Network Center for Workforce Development, with Dr. Eappen’s encouragement, has implemented experiential learning programs, internal training initiatives, and partnerships with colleges to address staffing needs. Additionally, over 180 new housing units have been created for employees to alleviate rural housing shortages, with a recruitment drive focused on hiring approximately 250 additional providers.
This work, and many other initiatives, advances against a backdrop of financial challenges for rural hospitals and health systems, with hundreds of rural hospitals at risk of closing. Dr. Eappen and his team continue to focus on ensuring the UVM Health Network is financially sustainable, preserving access to vital health care services for the people of Vermont and Northern New York.
Three of the six hospital partners in the UVM Health Network are designated as critical access hospitals, which serve a vital purpose in maintaining local services in rural areas. Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, N.Y., Elizabethtown Community Hospital in Ticonderoga, N.Y., and Porter Medical Center in Middlebury, Vt., are all critical access. Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, N.Y., Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Vt. proudly serve as community hospitals. The University of Vermont Medical Center in Burington, Vt., also serves as its community’s local hospital, as well as the region’s Level I trauma center and academic medical center. UVM Health Network – Home Health and Hospice provides care at home to patients in the community.
About the University of Vermont Health Network
The University of Vermont Health Network is an integrated system serving the residents of Vermont and northern New York with a shared mission: working together, we improve people’s lives. The partners are:
The University of Vermont Medical Center
The University of Vermont Health Network Medical Group
The University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center
The University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center
The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
The University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital
The University of Vermont Health Network – Porter Medical Center
The University of Vermont Health Network – Home Health & Hospice
Source: 3.12.2024. BURLINGTON, Vt. – UVMHN
