Each year, hospital leaders and others committed to excellent health care in Vermont gather for the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems Annual Meeting. There, they participate in general and break-out sessions where they learn about and work together on issues important to care in Vermont.

In 2023, the theme of the annual meeting was “Community Connections.” We explored how various organizations in our community—including hospitals and other health care providers, but also businesses, government agencies and other groups—can work together to support one another.

Annual Meeting Speakers

Jonathan Perlin, MD, Ph.D

President and CEO of The Joint Commission

Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., Ph.D. became the seventh President and CEO of The Joint Commission on March 1, 2022. Previously, as President, Clinical Operations and Chief Medical Officer, HCA Healthcare, Perlin led clinicians, data scientists and researchers in developing a learning health system model for improving care at the system’s 185 hospitals and 2,200 other locations. His team’s work achieved national recognition for preventing elective pre-term deliveries, reducing maternal mortality, increasing sepsis survival, and developing public-private-academic partnerships for improving infection prevention and treating infectious disease.

Cindy Manginelli

Director of Community Engagement for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council

Cindy leads the Council’s work to meaningfully connect and engage those who serve and support the health care needs of people who are homeless. With decades of experience working among victims of domestic violence, people leaving incarceration, women with substance use disorders, refugees, immigrants, people who are unhoused, and other marginalized populations, Cindy assists in the development and presentation of resources and trainings for those who desire to learn more about what it means to love and care for your neighbor.

Kyle Clark

CEO and Founder, Beta Technologies

Kyle is a passionate, creative and analytic test pilot and engineer. He is the founder of BETA Technologies, where aviation is being transformed. He and the team are working to decarbonize flight, building electric aircraft and enabling charging systems. Kyle has conducted complex engineering studies in the areas of power electronics, electromagnetics, mechanics, heat transfer and control algorithms. He has published papers in the fields of controls, pulse modulators and heat transfer. He has presented at numerous industry conferences, and spoken to groups up to 5,000 about product development. He is an inventor and expert in electric propulsion and induction heating technologies. He graduated from Harvard University, school of Applied Mathematics and Engineering where he was awarded the 2004 Engineering Thesis of the Year award for his work in flight dynamics and control algorithms. Before his storied career in engineering, he played professional hockey for the Washington Capitals.

Annual Meeting Content Sessions

A Community Approach to Housing Insecurity and Health Care

Healthworks ACT is a partnership between Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, The Brattleboro Retreat, Groundworks Collaborative, and Health Care & Rehabilitation Services (HCRS) of Windham County. Listen to the Healthworks ACT team discuss a new model for healthcare delivery to people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

ACHE Ethics and Legal Issues Panel

In a panel discussion moderated by VAHHS VP for government affairs, Devon Green, Vermont Ethics Network leader Cindy Bruzzese and attorney Shireen Hart will discuss Ethics and Dignity of Risk. Bring your questions, scenarios and advice to join in this interactive session.

A Community Approach to Workplace and Community Violence

Join us for a panel discussion with the representatives from the UVM Health Network on their comprehensive approach to violence in the workplace and the community.

Annual Meeting Service Project

VAHHS Annual Meeting participants with kits developed for children in Vermont emergency rooms.

Kits for Children in Emergency Departments

In what has now become an annual tradition, health care leaders at the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS) Annual Meeting set aside time to do a service project for the community. This year, the group partnered with the Vermont Partners for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC) to assemble activity kits for children in Vermont emergency departments, sometimes awaiting mental health beds.

A big thank you to our
2023 Annual Meeting Sponsors!

Reach out to Jocelyn Bolduc, Director of Association Business, at jocelyn@vahhs.org to learn more about what benefits annual meeting sponsorship can offer you.

Premier Sponsors

  • Allaire Health Services

    Allaire Health Services is a premier residential, long-term, rehabilitation, and subacute care provider that manages and operates facilities throughout New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Vermont – and growing! We’re “all in” at Allaire: when our patients and residents join us, we consider it a privilege to take part in their healing journey. This is why we provide cutting-edge clinical programs and services administered by the best industry professionals, in a luxurious environment that encourages comfort and a sense of wellbeing. With compassion and respect, we set the standard of care.

  • Coverys

    As a leader in medical professional liability insurance for over 45 years, Coverys combines proven insurance protection with data analytics to develop evidence-based processes and risk mitigation intelligence to help you enhance patient safety and reduce the risk of medical errors and claims.

  • Paycom

    Paycom creates technology that simplifies life for employees. Launched in 1998 as one of the nation's first web-based HR and payroll technology companies, Paycom transforms the workplace by giving employees direct access to their data in one easy-to-use application.
    Accessible through desktop computer or mobile device, our software removes HR professionals from the administrative process of data entry, freeing them to focus on strategy that drives business forward.

  • The Richards Group

    The Richards Group is a family-owned independent insurance, employee benefits, and financial services firm founded in 1867. While we have certainly grown since then, our commitment to exceptional service and creative protection solutions remains the cornerstone of our business model. Our team of roughly 148 insurance professionals now serves more than 20,000 clients located throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

  • Sanofi

    Sanofi is on course to transform the practice of medicine through breakthrough science and make a positive impact on our people and the communities we serve. Prioritization and focus are helping us unlock and maximize the potential of key medicines, vaccines, and self-care solutions for people, across our global business units: Specialty Care, Vaccines, General Medicines, and Consumer Healthcare.

    We aim to become a leading company in immunology and positively impact millions of patients suffering from dermatological, respiratory, gastroenterological, and other immune-mediated diseases.

Supporting Sponsors

  • Bernstein Shur

    Bernstein Shur Sawyer & Nelson is a New England-based law firm that advises clients across the U.S. and around the world. Our 125+ award-winning attorneys and professionals practice in more than 20 critical areas and a variety of industries.

  • BerryDunn

    A member of the Top 50 accounting firms, and the largest headquartered in New England, BerryDunn is a full-service accounting, assurance, and consulting firm, working with clients coast to coast in the US and around the world. Their range of expertise provides services to a wide array of clients from town, local, and state governments to healthcare, not-for-profit, higher education, commercial, financial services, high tech, and more.

  • E4H

    E4H is the largest architecture firm solely dedicated to healthcare and health sciences.

  • Engelberth Construction

    Engelberth Construction is one of the largest and most versatile commercial builders in northern New England, with 50 years of experience in the industry. They have the capabilities of a national company and the personal attention of a small firm, handling tough projects with ease—all while providing turnkey solutions. Engelberth’s top-notch service is backed by a passion for superior quality and a drive for continuous improvement.

  • FORVIS

    FORVIS was created by the merger of equals between BKD and DHG. We now have the scale and scope of a dynamic, top 10 public accounting firm—but we’ll continue our legacy of Unmatched Client Experiences with remarkable care, expertise, and drive.
    FORVIS clients benefit from a single organization with the enhanced capabilities of an expanded national platform, deepened industry mastery, greater resources, and innovative advisory services. Our aim is to help you succeed today while preparing you to forge ahead into a clear future.

  • Helms & Company

    Helms & Company is a healthcare consulting and management company providing a broad range of services to hospitals, physicians, payers, healthcare and human service organizations in northern New England. Extensive experience in business, managed care, market research, regulation, finance and health planning has helped clients solve complex problems with innovative solutions, to prepare for the challenges of the future.

  • Lavalee Brensinger Architects

    Lavalee Brensinger Architects are a team of design and management professionals dedicated to creating places that enrich and empower. Through collaboration and engagement they demonstrate an in-depth understanding of clients’ needs, a passion for innovation, and consistent, successful project delivery.

  • Medical Mutual

    Founded in 1978 by a group of 12 physicians, Medical Mutual provides medical professional liability insurance to physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and allied health facilities in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. The Company underwrites all specialties, a long-held principle aimed at providing stability for the medical communities the Company serves and to foster access to comprehensive care.

  • MMR

    Whether it’s short-term government relations or long-term strategic and project management, MMR leads with creative strategies to tackle any challenge. From their office in Montpelier, Vermont, MMR focuses on Government Relations and Issue Advocacy and Public Relations and Communications to meet needs in the State House and in the community. Their global reach allows them to lead on multistate, national and international issues. The MMR team has experience in the private and public sectors – working in business, at the federal level, internationally and in the highest levels of state government.

  • Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC

    Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC is a New England-based law firm focused on meeting the legal needs of businesses, institutions, organizations and high net worth individuals throughout the region and across state or national borders. The firm offers deep expertise in a wide range of legal services, providing clients with a convenient, single source of legal counsel across disciplines. The firm’s many practice areas offer a broad base of knowledge and insight to assist clients.

  • WittKieffer

    For more than 50 years, WittKieffer has been the premier search and leadership advisory firm improving quality of life through impactful leadership. They serve organizations operating exclusively at the intersection of healthcare, science and education —three monumental fields that defining quality of life globally. WittKieffer helps their clients advance their mission by working together to shape impactful leadership teams.

  • Vermont Department of Health

    The Vermont Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care supports health infrastructure, workforce quality and access in Vermont.