UVM Medical Center Board of Trustees Welcomes Four New Members

Burlington, Vt. – The UVM Medical Center Board of Trustees recently appointed four new trustees, adding individuals with experience in health care administration, diagnostic radiology, professional development and diversity, equity and inclusion to the 15-member board.

“These appointments reflect the steadfast commitment of the board, our Medical Center, and our Health Network to ensuring we are ready, willing and able to ensure the best health care access and quality we possibly can for our communities,” said Tom Little, Chair of the UVM Medical Center Board, emphasizing the broad range of skills, experiences and backgrounds among the incoming board members. “We celebrate that this is a goal we share with all who work at the Medical Center and with our peers across UVM Health Network.”

Kevin Chu

Kevin Chu is the executive director of Vermont Futures Project and co-founder and president of Sprinticity Athletics. A graduate of Middlebury College, Chu spent more than six years working for the University of Vermont is a variety of roles. He served as managing director of the office engagement, strategic innovations and communications lead for the Rubenstein School, served as a professional advisor for the university’s environmental program and as assistant director of admissions for diversity.

“I am honored and excited to join the UVM Medical Center Board of Trustees. I grew up in Vermont and I’m looking forward to growing old here too,” said Chu. “I say that with confidence because of UVM Medical Center, which plays a critical role as an anchor institution in our community. It is a privilege to give back to my community by helping to shape the future of our Medical Center. I will do my best to bring unique perspectives to the board on Population Health during this critical time, when Vermont’s population and demographics are rapidly evolving.”

A resident of South Burlington, Chu is pursuing his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Vermont. He is also the director of youth track and field for Burlington Parks and Recreation.

Churchill Hindes, PhD

Recently retired, Churchill Hindes brings experience in health services, higher education, nonprofit leadership and public policy with him to the board. He retired as a consultant to the UVM Health Network and a vice president at the UVM Medical Center, previously serving as chief operating office of the One Care Vermont health care payment reform initiative, and chief executive officer of the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.

He said the board’s “reputation for engagement and competence” is what attracted him to the role.

“My multiple ties to our academic medical center, personal and professional, date from my college days,” Hindes said. “I hope to add value to the board’s efforts to position the Medical Center to meet present and future needs for accessible, high-quality and affordable health services and medical care.”

Hindes also served on the cabinets of Vermont Governors Richard Snelling and Madeleine May Kunin, as commissioner of budget and management/state budget director; and as deputy secretary of administration. He served as board chair for the Vermont State Colleges System, retiring from that board after 19 years as a member.

Hindes academic career began as an instructor at the University of Iowa and he retired from education as a clinical associate professor of medicine and public policy at the University of Vermont. Hindes holds a doctorate in health administration and policy from the University of Iowa and is a graduate of Saint Michael’s College.

A seventh-generation Vermonter, Hindes lives in Colchester.

Betsy Sussman, MD

Dr. Betsy Sussman is a Diagnostic Radiology specialist in Burlington with more than 41 years of experience in the medical field. She was an attending radiologist specializing in Women's Imaging at the UVM Medical Center for more than 30 years, where she still works as a per diem radiologist in Breast Imaging. 

She said her longtime affiliation with and intimate knowledge of the Medical Center allows her to bring years of clinical and organizational insight to the Board’s efforts to address health care challenges impacting communities across the region.

“I have spent my entire career at UVM Medical Center as a diagnostic radiologist. As both a provider and a member of the community, I am familiar with our strengths and our shortcomings,” said Dr. Sussman. “Contributing as a member of the UVM Medical Center’s Board of Trustees and helping to solve challenges around quality of care and patient access that are being experienced by communities across our Health Network is work in which I am excited to participate.”

The author of numerous peer reviewed publications, Dr. Sussman is Professor of Radiology Emerita at the UVM Larner College of Medicine, where she has taught since the late 1980s, with dual appointments in Diagnostic Radiology and OB/GYN. She is a fellow of the American College of Radiology and a recipient of the A. Bradley Soule Award, the top annual award given by the Larner College of Medicine Medical Alumni Committee. She is still actively involved in the Larner College of Medicine Alumni Committee. She has contributed to clinical research projects in Imaging the World based in Africa and has also worked with UVM Medical Center oncology on breast density projects. She has been involved on a national level with authoring several Women's Imaging topics for ACR Appropriateness Criteria®, evidence-based guidelines to assist referring physicians and other providers in making the most appropriate imaging or treatment decision for a specific clinical condition. Employing these guidelines helps providers enhance quality of care and contribute to the most efficacious use of radiology.

Dr. Sussman received her medical degree from University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado. 

Weiwei Wang

Weiwei Wang is a co-founder and the director of operations and development of the Vermont Professionals of Color Network, which was founded in 2019 and is dedicated to advancing the prosperity of all professionals of color throughout Vermont. She is also a founding member of and director of operations for the Vermont Health Equity Initiative, which is focused on providing accessible, human-centered health care and health education to all BIPOC Vermonters.

She said immigrating to the United States from China at age 5, with her parents, and growing up in Vermont as part of an immigrant family, are experiences that inspired her to focus on improving support and access to health care and academic resources for BIPOC individuals across the region — and work she will continue as a member of the Board.

“For me, health care is everything – a basic right for any individual, and UVM Medical Center is working really hard on that.” said Wang. “Lived experience is valuable to the work that is happening and an important part of making intentional changes. Having new voices and different perspectives on the Board is critical to making sure that our Medical Center is doing the best for our entire community.”

Previously, Wang worked at the University of Vermont’s Center for Rural Studies, managing and conducting research for multi-state USDA-funded projects, and in Boston and Shanghai as a project manager for regional and international companies.

Currently, Wang serves as the vice chair for Public Assets Institute, and serves on the Champlain College Stiller School of Business Dean’s Advisory Committee, the UVM Cancer Center Community Advisory Council, the Racial Equity Advisory Panel for the State of Vermont, and the Governor’s Institute of Vermont Board of Directors. Her past experience includes the Peace and Justice Center and the Board for Registration of Voters for the City of Burlington.

Wang is an alumni of Vermont Changemakers Table, New Leaders Council — Vermont Chapter, and Leadership Champlain. In 2022, she received the Distinguished Citizen Award from Champlain College for her work with the Vermont Professionals of Color Network.

###

About the University of Vermont Medical Center

The University of Vermont Medical Center  is a 499-bed tertiary care regional referral center providing advanced care to approximately 1 million residents in Vermont and northern New York. Together with our partners at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, we are Vermont’s academic medical center. The University of Vermont Medical Center also serves as a community hospital for approximately 150,000 residents in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. 

The University of Vermont Medical Center is a member of The University of Vermont Health Network, an integrated system established to deliver high-quality academic medicine to every community we serve.

For more information visit www.UVMHealth.org/MedCenter or visit our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and blog sites at www.UVMHealth.org/MedCenterSocialMedia.