Burlington, Vt. – The University of Vermont (UVM), the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, and University of Vermont Health Network have jointly launched a secure, collaborative data enclave designed to remove barriers to large scale, data-driven clinical and population health research while safeguarding patient privacy and integrity. This initiative marks a pivotal step in bridging academic research and sensitive, real-world data in Vermont, laying the foundation for evidence-based policymaking and research-informed healthcare delivery. 

The data enclave provides a protected environment for researchers to access and analyze clinical data. These enclaves are especially critical in health research, where data sets often include protected health information, insurance claims data, electronic health records, and other personally identifiable information. This separation ensures that research activities do not compromise the integrity or security of patient data, while enabling broader use of electronic health record data for scientific inquiry. 

“This is about creating a safe space for researchers to work with sensitive data in a way that supports both innovation and compliance,” said Steve Goldman, chief information officer at Larner and executive sponsor for the data enclave initiative. “It’s a structured solution to long-standing challenges in data sharing between clinical and academic entities.”

The enclave also facilitates integration of multiple datasets – including state-level public health data – allowing researchers to explore complex questions about regional health trends, disparities, and outcomes. 

“Without organized access to aggregated data, we miss critical opportunities to improve health outcomes for Vermonters,” said Kate Tracy, senior associate dean for research at the Larner College of Medicine and director of research for UVM Health Network. 

“Without this access and the ability to ask insightful questions about different patient populations and communities, we risk overlooking critical patterns in our catchment area. That means missed opportunities to intervene, improve outcomes, and deliver more equitable and cost-effective care,” said Tracy.

Data science is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and it's reshaping the future of health care – making it more effective, more efficient, and more strategically driven. As Tracy emphasized, harnessing these data will transform how our academic health system understands the health of our population, especially in rural areas, unlocking insights that were previously out of reach. 

UVM’s recent R1 designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, combined with its deep expertise in health and medicine and its land-grant mission, underscores a vital responsibility: to lead innovation and advance research that addresses Vermont’s most urgent challenges—particularly in health care. The data enclave is part of a broader infrastructure supported by the UVM Office of the Vice President for Research, UVM Enterprise Technology Services, and the Vermont Advanced Computing Center.  

Planning for the enclave began in April 2023, catalyzed by leadership from both institutions and supported by funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The initiative was driven by a shared commitment to advancing research capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of data security. Additionally, with the university’s recent R1 designation, it is important that it remains at the forefront of research, conducting groundbreaking studies. 

“Thanks in part to strong leadership and persistent advocacy, we now have a foundation that can support transformative research across disciplines – from psychiatry to data science – with a full partnership between UVM and UVM Health Network,” said Kirk Dombrowski, UVM’s vice president for Research and Economic Development.