(Host) Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington announced the appointment on Friday of an interim CEO. Ed Colodny, the former interim president of the University of Vermont, has agreed to temporarily fill the top post at Vermont’s largest hospital.
Fletcher Allen has been plagued in recent months by allegations it misled state regulators about its expansion. The hospital has also faced labor issues. On Thursday, nurses at the hospital voted nearly 2-to-1 to unionize.
After the announcement, Colodny said he recognized some of the challenges ahead:
(Colodny) “We have several crucial issues here at the University – excuse me, here at the hospital. Um, we had crucial issues there, too .” (Laughter.) “My job is to be sure we approach those issues openly – deal with them, get out from under any suspicion that we’re not playing with all the cards open, and to resolve whatever disagreements there are either with the state, or with our employee groups. We don’t have the luxury of spending time in conflict. We have to resolve these issues, and get on with our mission.”
(Host) Colodny said he has already spoken with Elizabeth Costle, the state’s commissioner on health care. He said he wants to resolve the hospital’s ongoing issues with the state’s health care regulator as soon as possible.