Anna Tempesta Named President of Central Vermont Medical Center

The University of Vermont Health Network has appointed Anna Tempesta as the new president and chief operating officer of Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC), effective September 30, 2024. Tempesta, who previously served as the chief operating officer at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Connecticut, succeeds Dr. Anna Noonan, who retired from the position earlier this year.

Leadership Transition at CVMC

Anna Tempesta’s appointment follows a national search conducted by the UVM Health Network to fill the top leadership role at the Berlin, Vermont-based hospital. According to official statements from the UVM Health Network, Tempesta brings over two decades of experience in clinical and operational healthcare leadership to the role. Her background includes a focus on integrating community-based care with broader health system strategies, a priority for the UVM network as it manages regional healthcare delivery.

As president and COO, Tempesta will oversee daily operations at CVMC, which serves as a primary hub for healthcare in Washington County. Her responsibilities include managing the hospital’s workforce, overseeing patient care quality initiatives, and maintaining the financial sustainability of the facility. She reports directly to the UVM Health Network leadership, reinforcing the alignment between the local medical center and the broader regional network.

Professional Background and Experience

Before joining the UVM Health Network, Tempesta held several key positions within the Hartford HealthCare system in Connecticut. Her tenure at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital was marked by efforts to improve patient access and streamline operational workflows. Prior to her time in Connecticut, she held various management roles that emphasized nursing leadership and patient safety, providing her with the clinical foundation necessary to manage a mid-sized community hospital like CVMC.

The transition comes at a time when rural and community hospitals across the United States are facing significant pressures related to staffing shortages and rising operational costs. Tempesta’s stated goal, as noted in the UVM Health Network announcement, is to continue the work of strengthening local access to primary and specialty care while leveraging the resources of the larger academic health system.

Strategic Outlook for the UVM Health Network

The appointment is part of a broader shift in the UVM Health Network’s leadership structure. By bringing in an executive with experience in multi-site health systems, the network aims to improve coordination between its flagship academic medical center in Burlington and its affiliate hospitals like CVMC.

Key Facts About the Appointment

• Effective Date: September 30, 2024.
• Previous Role: Chief Operating Officer, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (Hartford HealthCare).
• Predecessor: Dr. Anna Noonan, who retired from the presidency after a multi-year tenure.
• Scope of Responsibility: Oversight of all clinical and administrative operations at the Berlin, Vermont campus.

As Tempesta assumes her new responsibilities, she will be focused on addressing the immediate operational needs of the facility while working with the UVM Health Network board to finalize long-term strategic goals for the central Vermont region. Her arrival marks a new chapter for the medical center, which remains the largest employer in the area.