UVM Health Network Hires Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

BURLINGTON, Vt. – The University of Vermont Health Network announced today that it will bring a Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer to its leadership team, advancing a commitment to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive culture for employees, patients and the communities served.

Jackie Hunter, who most recently led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts with Banner Health in Arizona, will become the health system’s first leader focused on furthering this essential work. Hunter, who is a doctor of chiropractic and naturopathic medicine and holds a master’s degree in health care administration, will start on October 18.

In this new role, Hunter will work to ensure that DEI is central to the culture of the health system. She will report directly to the CEO, and will have overall responsibility for leading efforts related to diversity, equity and inclusion. She will work in partnership across the health system to further develop and connect these efforts.

“When employees can bring their authentic selves to work, they become better educated about different cultures, experiences and expressions, helping them to build trust as colleagues and provide better care for all their patients,” Hunter said. “I am truly committed to advancing DEI efforts at The UVM Health Network for our employees and patients, alike.”

Hunter will also work to address disparities in health outcomes for patients, as well as encourage and support a diverse and inclusive workforce. She will work in partnership with senior Network leadership and the DEI leaders and steering committees that serve health system affiliates.

John R. Brumsted, MD, President and CEO of The UVM Health Network, noted that Hunter brings a strong background of innovation and success to this important work.

“Jackie has a strong track record of success and is an accomplished leader who can help us move toward our goal of being an open and welcoming organization where all employees have a genuine sense of belonging,” Dr. Brumsted said. “We welcome her into this essential role.”

As the Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion with Banner Health, Hunter created the organization’s first diversity and inclusion department. Under her leadership, Banner increased the diversity of its workforce, significantly expanded its Team Member Resource Groups, trained more than 10,000 employees in inclusive team-building, cultivated relationships with community partners and achieved recognition by the Healthcare Equality Index for inclusive LGBTQ+ practices and policies. Hunter was recently named one of Modern Healthcare’s “Diversity Leaders to Watch.”

Hunter received a Bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University in 2000. She became a doctor of chiropractic in 2004 at Palmer College of Chiropractic. She then became a doctor of naturopathic medicine at SW College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2011. She earned a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2016.

Advancing the Network’s work on DEI is central to the mission of providing high quality, affordable and accessible health care, as well as a positive, welcoming workplace culture. In the past 16 months, the health system has laid the foundation for these goals, including conducting a Diversity Workforce Assessment, holding listening sessions and culture talks for employees and offering education opportunities for leaders. The Network has also launched an anonymous hotline/reporting tool for complaints and concerns, created an online learning resource for employees and ensured all health system affiliates are represented by a DEI Steering Committee.

About The University of Vermont Health Network

The University of Vermont Health Network is an integrated system serving the residents of Vermont and northern New York with a shared mission: working together, we improve people’s lives.  The partners are:

• The University of Vermont Medical Center  
• The University of Vermont Health Network Medical Group
• The University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center
• The University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center
• The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
• The University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital
• The University of Vermont Health Network – Porter Medical Center
• The University of Vermont Health Network – Home Health & Hospice

Our 4,000 health care professionals are driven to provide high-quality, cost-efficient care as close to home as possible. Strengthened by our academic connection to the University of Vermont, each of our affiliates remains committed to its local community by providing compassionate, personal care shaped by the latest medical advances and delivered by highly skilled experts.

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