Elliot Health System Appoints Ryan Clouser, DO, as Chief Medical Officer of Elliot Hospital and Transitional Care Services

Elliot Health System announces the appointment of Ryan Clouser, DO, as chief medical officer (CMO) of Elliot Hospital and Transitional Care Services. Dr. Clouser returns to Elliot after serving as CMO at The University of Vermont Health and Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC).

In his new role, Dr. Clouser oversees clinical, operational, quality and performance management for Elliot Hospital based practices as well as Elliot Medical Group’s Primary Care and Behavioral Health services. He will guide clinical and operational excellence and strategic alignment.

“Dr. Clouser is an accomplished clinician and transformative leader who brings a wealth of experience and vision to this role,” said Dr. Kevin Desrosiers, chief physician executive and senior vice president of Medical Affairs. “His leadership will strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional care, improve outcomes, and ensure that Elliot remains a trusted destination for patients and families across the region for generations to come,” Dr. Desrosiers added.

Dr. Clouser will also be responsible for progressing service line development and operational effectiveness across Elliot Clinical Services, working collaboratively with Elliot VNA, and other transitional care leaders to improve outcomes and secure innovative care models.

Dr. Clouser shared his excitement about returning to Elliot: “I am honored to rejoin Elliot Health System and contribute to its mission of excellence in patient care,” he said. “My focus will be on advancing strategies that improve quality, enhance care coordination, and integrate services across the continuum ensuring that every patient receives the right care at the right time. Together, we will continue building innovative models that support our vision to be your first choice to give and receive care.”

During his time at CVMC, Dr. Clouser led major patient safety and performance initiatives that reduced hospital-acquired conditions and surgical site infections. Under his leadership, CVMC earned Primary Stroke Center designation and became a central transfer site for ICU and high-acuity care, improving access to advanced treatment close to home. He also developed ICU protocols, championed patient- and family-centered care, and launched Vermont’s first air ambulance service in collaboration with DHART.

Prior to being promoted to chief medical officer within University of Vermont Health, Dr. Clouser held roles including associate chief medical officer of capacity management, medical officer of the network’s care coordination system, medical director of VT Technical College Respiratory Therapy Training Program, and co-director of the MICU. He also previously worked at The Elliot as an intensive care unit physician as well as medical director of the Elliot Hospital ICU.

Dr. Clouser is board-certified in Critical Care and Internal Medicine, with focused practice in Hospital Medicine. He also maintains UCNS board certification in Neurocritical Care and is a Fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM).