Burlington(VT) – The University of Vermont Health Network has named Jerald Novak as the network’s chief people officer, effective, May 1. He most recently led Human Resources for Global Assets at Biogen in Cambridge, MA. The position replaces the former chief human resources officer function.
As chief people officer, Novak will not only provide strategic vision and direction for the human resources efforts of the Network, but also focus on cultural integration of the system, leadership team development, and advancement of our talent management strategy to develop a high-performance, sustainable organization that can meet strategic and operational goals.
Novak has 20 years of experience in human resources. At Biogen, he led the creation of a new global manufacturing function and developed a talent review process for early career talent. He also implemented a new company-wide operating model enabling field affiliate organizations and centralized functions to work together more productively.
“Jerald’s track record of managing change while increasing organizational capability will be of great value as we work to meet our mission,” said John Brumsted, MD, UVM Health Network president and chief executive officer. “I look forward to partnering with him to continue elevating our culture throughout the UVM Health Network.”
“I’m thrilled to join an organization where the mission begins and ends with the patient,” Jerald added. “I believe a continued investment in our network’s culture and employees will pay even greater dividends for our patients and all who support them.”
Prior to joining Biogen in 2014, Novak served at organizations including Honeywell, Citigroup and PepsiCo in leadership roles as an HR business partner, talent acquisition leader and in leadership development.
Novak has a Bachelor of Science degree in Television, Radio & Film Production from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communication, and a Master of Business Administration degree in Marketing, with an emphasis on Strategic Human Resource Management, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
About The University of Vermont Health Network
The University of Vermont Health Network is a six-hospital system serving the residents of Vermont and northern New York with a shared mission: working together, we improve people’s lives. The partners are:
- The University of Vermont Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network Medical Group
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital
- The University of Vermont Health Network – Porter Medical Center
Our 4,000 health care professionals are driven to provide high-quality, cost-efficient care as close to home as possible. Strengthened by our academic connection to the University of Vermont, each of our hospitals remains committed to its local community by providing compassionate, personal care shaped by the latest medical advances and delivered by highly skilled experts.