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Don George is a leader who cares deeply about the lifelong health and wellbeing of Vermonters and making the health care system work better for everyone. Born and raised in Barre, his commitment to achieving a transformed health care system in which every Vermonter has health care coverage and receives timely, effective, affordable care has been central to his tenure as CEO and president and will carry Blue Cross confidently into the next era of health care reform.

Don’s commitment to Vermont, including to the 400 Vermonters who work at Blue Cross, has yielded progressive internal management programs that encourage the seven dimensions of wellness as well as external strategies that provide great value to the people we serve. His vision and his caring imbue the organization with heart, empathy, and dedication.

One of the most transformative ventures that Don has been instrumental in developing is Vermont Collaborative Care LLC (VCC). VCC is a joint-venture partnership with Vermont community providers and is designed to integrate physical and mental health care management under one roof and within one team right here at our headquarters in central Vermont. Because of this joint venture, when our members experience a life-altering health event -- from pregnancy to end-of-life care -- they have access to a case manager, a single point of contact, who understands that physical wellness is not separate from mental wellness.

For the past 25-years, he’s championed initiatives that address health care reform. From providing leadership and strategic direction for the Vermont Health Plan (a licensed affiliate of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association), to launching Accountable Blue Health and Wellness Programming in 2009, Don’s people-focused approach creates lasting change. He believes, at the end of the day, people-focused strategies are the best and only strategies.

His passion for people and for creating functional, balanced teams is evident in his accessibility in the workplace and his ability to build strong, lasting relationships with external stakeholders. He is articulate, inspired, and approaches everyday with great integrity.

Don holds a Master of Science degree from St. Michael’s College in Management and Administration as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont in Business Administration.