Edward Colodny, Interim CEO, Fletcher Allen Health Care and our newest member!

Our club is pleased to welcome one of its newest members, Burlington native-son Ed Colodny. Since returning to Burlington after a long and illustrious business career in other parts of the US, Mr. Colodny has taken on some of the toughest tasks facing the Burlington community, including interim leadership roles at both UVM and now Fletcher Allen Health Care.

Fletcher Allen serves a population of one million people throughout Vermont and Northern New York, providing a full range of advanced specialty services in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

In addition to serving as the primary referral center in Vermont, Fletcher Allen serves as a community hospital for the 147,000 residents of Chittenden County and provides primary care services at 11 sites.

Nearly 40 percent of the physicians in Vermont either graduated from the UVM College of Medicine or trained at Fletcher Allen.

In addition to the health care services the hospital provides, Mr. Colodny also noted the economic importance of the hospital to the region. It is Vermont's third-largest employer (the second-largest in Chittenden County), with $486 million in operating revenues.

In his remarks, Mr. Colodny made reference to the recent troubles at the hospital concerning its enormous expansion effort, otherwise known as the Renaissance Project.

"The healing process is well along," said Mr. Colodny, in reference to the changes to have recently been made. "Our health care goals are truly sound, and the quality of care in the coming years will be significant and positively impacted by the project, which is actually several projects combined."

Ultimately, he said, the success of Fletcher Allen Health Care will be measured in the success of the quality care it provides.

The Rotary Club of Burlington is proud to have Ed as a member, and we offer him our sincere gratitude for his efforts on behalf of the community. Here is a man who truly exemplifies the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self."