Christopher J. Dougherty
Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Directors at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) announced Thursday that President and CEO Christopher J. Dougherty, who has been on a leave of absence since Friday, October 3rd, will not be returning to his position at BMH.
According to a statement from the board, the parties agreed that under the current circumstances it is best for Dougherty to depart and for the Hospital to bring in new leadership. Chris is proud of his accomplishments and grateful for the opportunity to have led the Hospital.
“We are deeply troubled by the quality of BMH’s budget submission and its reporting because the hospital may be at risk of a sudden solvency crisis, which would potentially harm its community and the statewide system of care,” the Green Mountain Care Board wrote in an Oct. 1 budget order. Moreover, the board cited “missing, incomplete and inaccurate information” regarding the actual financial state of the hospital.
BMH named Elizabeth McLarney, MD, and Tony Blofson, MD, acting co-CEOs while Christopher Dougherty is on a leave of absence, when Dougherty was put on leave October 3. Dougherty served as the 61-bed hospital’s president and CEO from May 2022.
"The Board and staff at BMH would like to thank Chris for his service over the past three-and-a-half years and wish him all the best in his future endeavors," the statement read.
The Hospital will initiate a search for a new CEO soon. Until that process is successfully completed, McLarney and Blofson will continue in their roles as BMH’s Acting Co-CEOs.
BMH laid off six administrators last June in an attempt to gain $4 million from less spending and new revenue to balance its $119 million annual budget. Read the full budget order here.
Founded in 1904, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) is a licensed, 61-bed, not-for-profit community hospital located in southeastern Vermont, serving a rural population of about 55,000 people in 22 towns in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The BMH medical staff includes board-certified providers in primary care and many other specialties, with a shared mission to build strong partnerships, advance quality of care through innovation, and empower every individual to live a healthier life.
November 20, 2025 (Brattleboro, VT)—Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
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