BURLINGTON, Vt. – University of Vermont Health today shared information with employees about additional workforce reductions across the health system, part of ongoing efforts to improve affordability for patients, strengthen long-term sustainability and better align staffing and operations with patient needs.

The reductions affect 199 positions, and 55 new roles will be created for a net reduction of 144 roles. The changes affect employees across UVM Health hospitals, home health and hospice services, and skilled nursing facilities in the continuing care system, and are projected to reduce expenses by about $16.8 million.

"Today's announcement is another extraordinarily difficult one, and it impacts colleagues that we value deeply," said Stephen Leffler, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of UVM Health. "But we have to continue taking these steps to address our financial realities - to make health care more affordable for our patients while continuing to provide high-quality care for the communities we serve."

"We are committed to supporting affected employees and helping as many as possible find opportunities elsewhere within our organization," Leffler added.

Employees whose positions will be eliminated were notified today, and will remain employed during a 45-day transition period. During that time, the health system will provide career transition support and assistance identifying other opportunities within UVM Health where possible. Employees who do not secure another position and are eligible will receive severance benefits.

Over the past several years, UVM Health has taken numerous steps to improve efficiency and reduce costs, including reducing reliance on temporary contract labor, limiting discretionary spending, eliminating executive positions, streamlining administrative functions and improving operational performance across the system. Today's actions, while challenging, build on those efforts and reflect the need to continue transforming health care delivery.

Below are additional details for entities with 10 or more impacted employees: 

University of Vermont Medical Center

• More than half (118 positions) of the impacted roles are at University of Vermont Medical Center and are tied to organizational and operational changes designed to improve efficiency and better match staffing levels with a declining daily census within the hospital as well as community needs. The largest driver is closure of a unit and an alternative care pod whose patients can be cared for in other areas of the hospital. The change reflects a steady decline in daily census of the hospital.

UVM Health

• Across UVM Health shared services, 28 positions are affected through organizational restructuring and administrative consolidation efforts. Changes include areas such as Human Resources, Information Technology and Culture, Experience & Community Health, and are intended to streamline operations, reduce duplication and better support systemwide priorities. Many of the changes involve redesigning workflows and organizational structures rather than eliminating administrative services.

Central Vermont Medical Center

• At Central Vermont Medical Center, 24 positions are affected as part of organizational changes designed to improve efficiency, strengthen workforce flexibility and better align resources with patient and community needs. Many of the changes involve restructuring positions to support cross-functional work across departments and consolidating some leadership responsibilities. Eleven positions are expected to be reposted with updated responsibilities as part of the redesign effort. Leaders worked to minimize impacts on patient care and maintain access to services.

Continuing Care – Helen Porter Rehabilitation & Nursing

• At Helen Porter Rehabilitation & Nursing, 15 positions are affected, including seven vacant roles for a total of eight notifications. The changes reflect efforts to improve operational efficiency and align staffing structures with resident needs while maintaining the organization's commitment to high-quality care. The actions are part of broader continuing care initiatives to support long-term sustainability in a challenging financial environment.

"These decisions are part of a longer journey to build a more sustainable health system," Dr. Leffler said. "Our commitment to patients, residents and families remains unchanged, and every decision we make is guided by that responsibility." 

Breakdown by organization: 

In addition to the impacts at UVM Medical Center, today's announcement impacts roles in hospitals, home health and continuing care across the health system. See below for detail. Note that these numbers reflect full-time equivalent (FTEs), rather than individuals – some impacted employees may see their roles change, but remain employed.

Next steps:

The work to improve affordability for patients, while building long-term sustainability in the face of challenges facing rural hospitals and health systems nationwide, is ongoing. UVM Health must reduce expenses and improve efficiency to meet a projected $300 million in reduced revenue over the next few years, and will continue to work in partnership with other providers, as well as state, local and federal leaders, to identify the best ways to continue meeting the needs of the people of Vermont and northern New York.