Stephen Leffler, M.D., Chief Population Health and Quality Officer at the UVM Medical Center (Photo: LCOM Creative Services)

The University of Vermont Health Network has selected Stephen Leffler, M.D., as chief population health and quality officer. In this role, Leffler, who is currently chief medical officer and chief quality officer for the University of Vermont Medical Center, will oversee coordination of quality, patient safety and population health programs for the six hospitals in the UVM Health Network.

This is the first senior leadership position created at the UVM Health Network since its formation in 2011, reflecting that enhanced coordination of care is critical to achieving federal and state reform goals.

“As we continue to move from a fragmented health care system that rewards quantity of care to one that focuses on the quality of care and overall health of our communities, we need an experienced, trusted leader like Dr. Leffler to make sure patients in the UVM Health Network are getting the full benefit of these promising changes,” said John Brumsted, M.D., president and CEO of the UVM Health Network and CEO of the UVM Medical Center. “He offers a powerful combination of vision and practicality that will help us achieve our goals of providing the support people need to be as healthy as possible, improving the patient experience and working to control costs.”

A native Vermonter, Leffler has developed relationships with hundreds of health care providers in the region during decades of service as an emergency medicine physician and senior leader at the UVM Medical Center. Working closely with chief medical officers across the UVM Health Network, and leaders at OneCare Vermont and Adirondacks ACO, he’s helped guide the continued development of a regional integrated system of care. 

Among his many current leadership roles, Leffler is a board member for OneCare Vermont and the Vermont Care Organization, and serves on the Governor’s Task Force for prescription drug monitoring.

Leffler received his medical degree from the Larner College of Medicine at UVM and earned a Master of Health Care Delivery Science degree from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He will continue to provide patient care in the UVM Medical Center’s Emergency Department, and will spend much of his time at partner hospitals in the UVM Health Network.

“Over the last four years I’ve had the opportunity to work with Dr. Leffler on a number of initiatives to improve the quality of care we provide our patients, and I’ve seen his dedication to improving the health of our population,” said Kent Hall, M.D., vice president of Medical Affairs and chief medical officer at The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital. “Given his drive and commitment, I’m anxious to continue this work.”