A Farewell Message from Don George

My heart is full and my gratitude immeasurable.

This week, after 33 years with Blue Cross VT and 17 years as President and CEO, I am retiring. It has been the professional privilege of a lifetime to lead this organization through such critical periods of challenge and growth and an honor to provide health coverage and services to more than 200,000 Vermonters.

As I step aside, my hope remains that affordability continues to guide Vermont’s healthcare leaders and policymakers. Every Vermonter deserves coverage they can afford and access to care that allows them to prioritize their health without compromise. Vermonters shouldn’t have to choose between paying their medical bills and other life essentials. This can only happen through the reform-focused partnership of regulators, legislators, hospital leaders, payers, providers, community partners, and Vermonters themselves. We each play a part in shaping our health system through our voices and choices. By working together, Vermont can lead the nation as a model for an approach to health care that is fair, effective, and sustainable.

The employees of Blue Cross VT exemplify this affordability-focused collaboration, and I am deeply proud of them. Guided by our mission commitment to always put our members’ experience first, they show up every day with purpose and the indomitable drive to uncover greater ways to support our members and communities. Their resilience and dedication, especially amid this year’s financial pressures, have been essential to our strong financial recovery and our advocacy for system change. Truly, they are what makes this organization exceptional. It will be hard for me to step away from this committed group of people.  

I’m also very proud of our organization’s commitment to employee health and wellness. Supporting the physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of our workforce – and all workforces – is fundamental to a healthier Vermont. When employees are well, organizations are more resilient and productive, healthcare costs are lower, and communities are stronger. I encourage every employer to take one small step toward prioritizing the health and wellness of their team in the coming year.

To health care leaders in State government and legislature, thank you for the years of partnership and, at times, productive discord. The constructive, meaningful work accomplished this year alone proves that progress is possible, especially when we all work together. Your commitment to the integrity and stability of Vermont’s health system is an asset to this state.

To community and business leaders, thank you for your collaboration, candor, and your genuine care for the people who rely on you across and beyond Vermont. More important, thank you for trusting Blue Cross VT to support many of your employees, continuing to believe in us, and holding us accountable to our brand promise to make health care work better for Vermonters.

To our members, without a doubt, you are the reason we’re here. We know how complicated and frustrating health care can be and how burdensome the high cost of care has been over the past few years. And we know this must change. Through advocacy and action, the Blue Cross VT team remains fully committed to making health care more affordable, accessible, and sustainable for generations to come. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives.

As our organization enters its next chapter under the leadership of Beth Roberts, I couldn’t be more confident that you are in strong and steady hands. Beth brings rich healthcare and insurer experience and a passionate commitment to improving healthcare affordability, access, and quality of care. She is driven, decisive, honorable, and ready to partner with leaders across our state to advance meaningful health system reform.

Thank you for allowing me this unbelievable journey. I’m profoundly grateful for your years of trust, confidence, and collaboration. It has been my honor to work alongside you and to serve you.

Sincerely,

Don