RUTLAND—The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Tom Huebner, president & CEO of the Rutland Regional Medical Center, has been chosen the “Business Leader of the Year 2017.” The award will be presented at the Chamber’s annual meeting on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland.
During Huebner’s tenure, the Rutland Region Medical Center has grown into the County’s largest employer with over 1,600 employees.
“Tom has been an integral part of the business community since he took over the helm of the Rutland Regional Medical Center in 1997. Over the past 27 years there have been significant changes to the health care industry and Tom has always had the needs of the Rutland Region first,” said Mary Cohen, executive director of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce.
Huebner and the Rutland Regional Medical Center have received over 20 national awards and recognition that support the unwavering commitment to being the best community health care system in New England.
“Tom has really taken the lead on great collaboration initiatives with many local organizations to ensure the best practices are in place for proactive measures in keeping our communities as healthy as they can be,” said Cohen.
Tom Huebner was nominated for this award by Peg Bolgioni, communications specialist and Brian Kerns, Vice President of “I get to know the kids,” Moran added. “I’ve known the kids graduating this year since they were born. It’s been such a joy to see the kids grow up. … The personalizing of learning and empowering kids to take greater charge of their learning, I think that’s something that we’re really focused on,” Moran added.
She talked of changes she has seen over the years, from the expanded services schools now provided, to advancements in technology. One of her greatest current concerns, she said, is dealing with the impact of actions and decisions made outside of the state.
“My biggest worry and challenge now is what’s happening at the federal level,” she said. “The current lack of commitment to public education at the federal level is extremely concerning to me.”
She said a big passion for her is developing school leaders. Moran pointed to an initiative in Rutland that has resulted in many of the current principals and administrators in the local schools, as well as other ones nearby, coming from positions within the Rutland school system.
Courcelle said Friday the search will begin soon for the next school leader in Rutland. “The selection of a superintendent is the most important thing a school board does,” he said. “The process to select the next individual needs to be a very thoughtful and planned one.”
The plan, he said, is to establish a search committee, which will include some School Board members, faculty, administrators and parents of students. Ultimately, that panel will make a recommendation for the School Board to consider, Courcelle said.
“It will be a very deliberative process,” he added. “It’s a process followed by most school boards and districts.”
Rutland City Mayor David Allaire, at a meeting this week of Project Vision, a coalition of community organizations and agencies, brought up Moran’s recent announcement. “One of our stellar community members, our superintendent of schools, is retiring,” the mayor said. “I want to publicly acknowledge the tremendous service she brought to the city school system.”
Following a round of applause, Moran reminded the crowd that she still planned to stay a Rutland resident.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she told them. “I’ll still be here.”
Photo submitted
Tom Huebner
