“The UVM Health Network is a model for how we can provide and preserve high-quality health care in our communities, while innovating and educating through academic medicine,” said Dr. Eappen. “I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to work alongside, learn from and support thousands of dedicated providers and staff across Vermont and Northern New York, and to deliver on the promise of the Network. Together, we will address our challenges and work to provide expert, equitable, value-based health care for our patients and communities.”

This appointment comes at a critical time for the health system, which serves more than 1 million patients across Vermont and Northern New York. Immediate challenges, shared by hospitals and health systems across the country, include extraordinary cost inflation and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Eappen’s expertise and leadership will play a pivotal role in the Network’s financial recovery and in guiding the transformative work being done across the Network to increase patient access to care, address national workforce shortages and more deeply integrate the organization’s operational and governance structure to become more nimble, equitable and aligned with its population health centered mission.


“I’m incredibly pleased with the result of the search, and I’m dedicated to ensuring a smooth leadership transition for our health system,” said John R. Brumsted, MD, President and CEO of the UVM Health Network, who will stay on until late November 2022.

“Dr. Eappen is an accomplished academic physician and skilled administrator, including his interim leadership of one of the premier teaching hospitals in the country,” Dr. Brumsted added. His experience will serve our patients, our communities and our people well. I’m gratified that he’s interested in coming to the UVM Health Network and helping us meet our mission.”

Prior to joining Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Eappen served as Chief Medical Officer of Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he led the Medical Staff Office, Patient Safety and Quality, Pharmacy and oversaw nursing leadership. He also served as Associate Medical Director of the Controlled Risk Insurance Company (CRICO) Patient Safety Organization of Harvard Medical School and as Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary and Harvard Medical School.

Among his extensive community service, Dr. Eappen serves on the boards of the Matty Eappen Foundation, CRICO and New England Donor Services/New England Organ Bank.

Dr. Eappen earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; his medical degree from the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine; and an MBA from the Yale University School of Management. He also previously served as Chief Resident in Anesthesiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

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