Frederick C. Morin III, M.D., Dean of the University of Vermont College of Medicine, and Melinda Estes, M.D., President and CEO of Fletcher Allen Health Care, have announced the appointment of Thomas C. Peterson, M.D., as Chair of Family Medicine at the College of Medicine and Physician Leader of Family Medicine at Fletcher Allen Health Care, effective immediately.
Peterson, 53, joined UVM/Fletcher Allen in 1986 and has served as Interim Chair and Physician Leader of Family Medicine since July 2006. He was twice voted Family Practice Teacher of the Year, honored as Family Physician of the Year in 2003 by the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, and named one of the 2009-10 Best Doctors in America.
“Tom is an outstanding teacher, leader and clinician who has earned the admiration and respect of his students, his colleagues and his patients,” said Morin. “He is a strong advocate for primary care, and has mentored hundreds of medical students and residents on the path to becoming caring, compassionate physicians.”
Peterson is a board-certified family physician practicing at Colchester Family Practice. He is past president of the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, and continues to serve on the Board and as Vermont Delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
“Tom has provided exceptional leadership for Family Medicine,” said Melinda L. Estes, M.D., president and CEO, Fletcher Allen Health Care. “He has made significant contributions to our academic medical center, including playing a critical role in the implementation of our electronic health record PRISM and serving on key internal boards and committees.”
After graduating with high honors from the University of California at Santa Barbara, Peterson earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester (NY) School of Medicine and Dentistry, followed by a residency in family medicine at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, where he was Chief Resident in his final year. He joined the faculty at UVM/Fletcher Allen in 1986, rising to full Professor in 2002. He served as director of the Family Medicine Residency Program from 1993 to 2004, and was named the Department’s Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in 2004. He became Acting Chair and Physician Leader in 2006, and assumed Interim leadership in 2008.
Peterson is a founding board member of Vermont Respite House, serves on the board of Vermont Managed Care, and is also past Chair of the Board of University Health Center. He and his family reside in Colchester, Vt.
