Michael Costa, CEO at Northern Counties Health Care in St. Johnsbury, has been named president and CEO at Gifford Health Care, effective Oct. 14. He will succeed Dan Bennett, who will retire from the role Oct. 11.
Prior to his role at Northern Counties, where he has served since 2019, Costa was deputy commissioner at the Department of Vermont Health Access, the state agency responsible for administering Vermont’s Medicaid health insurance program, and as deputy director of health care reform for the state of Vermont.
“Michael is a great fit for Gifford and our supportive, community-focused culture,” said Megan Cicio, vice chair of Gifford's board of directors. “He brings to Gifford deep experience not only in health care administration but also in Vermont state government. He has demonstrated a clear commitment to rural health care and working to ensure organizations that deliver that care, like Gifford, thrive well into the future.”
Costa is a graduate of Bates College. He holds a master's degree in health care delivery from Dartmouth College and a law degree from University of Wisconsin Law School.