RANDOLPH — Michael Costa, of Norwich, is set to become the new CEO of Randolph-based Gifford Health Care this fall when current CEO Dan Bennett retires.

Costa, currently the CEO of Northern Counties Health Care in St. Johnsbury, Vt., will begin his work at Gifford on Oct. 14, according to a Thursday news release. Bennett, who has led Gifford since 2016, is scheduled to retire from the role Oct. 11.

“Michael is a great fit for Gifford and our supportive, community-focused culture,” Gifford Board Vice Chairwoman Megan Cicio, who led the board’s CEO search committee, said in the release, which referenced Costa’s experience in health care administration and in state government.

Costa has been at Northern Counties in since 2019. He previously served as the deputy commissioner for the Department of Vermont Health Access, a state agency responsible for administering the state’s Medicaid program, and as deputy director of health care reform for the state.

He holds a master’s degree in health care delivery science from Dartmouth College; a law degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison; and a bachelor’s degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

Costa said in the release that he was drawn to Gifford in part by its unusual structure, which includes a hospital, federally qualified health center and retirement community.

In addition to the Randolph hospital and retirement community, the system, which has an annual operating budget of about $91.5 million, has locations in the Upper Valley communities of Bethel, Chelsea, Sharon and also Berlin, Vt., and Rochester, Vt.

Bennett, as Gifford’s CEO and president, earned a total compensation package of about $400,000 in 2021, according to Gifford’s 990 tax filing. Costa earned about $215,000 in 2022, according to Northern Counties’ 990 filing.

“This role offers an extraordinary opportunity to lead in rural health care and to model how to provide high-quality services while improving community health in a sustainable way,” Costa said of the Gifford job in the release.

He acknowledged the challenges rural health care providers face, including recruiting and retaining employees, payment rates that often do not cover costs, patients with complex health needs and shifting demographics.

“However, it’s important not to overlook the strengths of rural health care: access to local services, well-coordinated care, the development of lifelong patient relationships, and the mission-driven experiences we offer our teams,” he said. “I believe our approach should start with emphasizing why keeping care local is vital for every Vermonter.”

Nora Doyle-Burr can be reached at ndoyleburr@vnews.com or 603-727-3213.