He blogs. He advocates. He is Michael Costa.
Gifford’s newest president and CEO talks a lot about transparency. And in his first 100-plus days on the job, he seems to be walking the walk.
Michael’s voice carries not only in Randolph, where he engages Team Gifford via the usual ways like all-staff meetings and Monday Morning Memos and via new ways like “Running Gifford,” his blog, but also in Montpelier. There, at the Vermont State House, familiar territory for the former attorney who served in state government, he advocates for Gifford and access to health care for central Vermonters.
Quoting Michael, “Rural health care faces several significant challenges, including recruiting and retaining team members, payment rates that often do not cover costs, patients with complex health needs, and shifting demographics, to name a few.
“However, it’s important not to overlook the strengths of rural health care: access to local services, well-coordinated care, the development of lifelong patient relationships, and the mission-driven experiences we offer our teams. I believe our approach should start with emphasizing why keeping care local is vital for every Vermonter.”
Behind the words, here are five strategic actions Michael has taken in his first months as Gifford’s chief officer.
5 KEY MOVES
- Facilitated a Community Forum on the future of Gifford
- Positioned Gifford as a strong collaborator with local and state partners to improve our health care system
- Established employee action teams in three core areas—Efficiency, Growth, and Meditech (our electronic health record)—to improve Gifford’s financial performance
- Transitioned management of Strode Independent Living to a national firm that specializes in senior living
- Hired a consultant to strengthen and guide Human Resources’ recruitment and retiention efforts
