Ronald J. Cioffi, RN, and CEO of the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (VNAHSR), one of the state’s largest providers of skilled home health and hospice services, announced plans to retire in June of 2021.
Cioffi, a registered nurse and native Vermonter, joined the VNA (then known as the Rutland Area Visiting Nurse Association) in 1980 as a dialysis nurse. In 1992 he was promoted to the chief executive officer role and oversaw the agency through unprecedented financial growth and an expansion in areas served and breadth of services. Cioffi led the agency in establishing new services and partnerships including specialty clinical programs such as pediatric rehabilitation, pediatric high-tech services, wound care, hospice and palliative care, and telemonitoring.
Under Cioffi’s leadership, VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region continues to be recognized nationally for quality patient care, including obtaining the HomeCare Elite designation 10 times in the last 12 years and in 2017 being named a Top 100 Agency, as well as surpassing national benchmarks in Home Care and Hospice Care.
Cioffi, a sought-after expert on home health care, serves on the board of directors at Rutland Regional Medical Center and the VNAs of Vermont and VNA Health System. He was one of the initial partners in the VNA Health System and has served as board chair for the VNAs of Vermont three times. In 2014, he was named the Rutland Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year.
“It’s difficult to articulate how much Ron has done for the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region and those who live and work in Rutland and Bennington Counties,” said Dan DiBattista, president of the board of directors. “Ron is a visionary who has led the agency through some of the most challenging times in healthcare and he has led with expertise, energy, passion, and a dedication to the residents of the communities we serve.”
“I have been fortunate to work with some of the best, brightest, and talented professionals throughout this agency, with our board of directors, our generous donors, and our community partners,” said Cioffi. “They have allowed me to leave a legacy at the VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region and work in the communities I love.”
A committee from the VNAHSR board of directors has created a committee to begin the process of selecting the agency’s next chief executive officer.
