September 30, 2009 
Derek Kouwenhoven, RN, CEN, MSN was recently named Director of Critical Care Services at Central Vermont Medical Center. Critical care services encompass the Emergency Department and The Davis Special Care Unit (ICU).
Derek received his Associates degree in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from New Hampshire Technical Institute. He worked as a street paramedic for a number of years. He and his family moved back to Vermont and he attended the University of Vermont to earn his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Recently Derek earned his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) through Walden University.
“I’ve always liked dealing with patients for a short amount of time in a high acuity situation,” explained Derek. “I started working at CVMC right out of college. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work in the Emergency Department as a staff nurse, nurse educator and nurse manager.”
“Derek’s experience and management expertise make him well qualified for this position,” said Alison White, RN, MHA, Vice President for Nursing and Quality. “Emergency and intensive care nursing are not an uncommon mix because of the natural flow of patients between the two departments,” she continued. “He will be managing the day-to-day operations in areas, overseeing staffing, budgets and quality of care as well as ensuring a smooth flow for patients from the emergency department to the ICU.”
“I would not have considered undertaking this challenge if it weren’t for the outstanding staff already present in both the Emergency Department and ICU,” noted Derek. “I originally chose to work at this facility because of the community it serves and the people who work here.”
Derek and his wife Kristen and their children, seven year old twins Alexis and Cole, and Gavin, age five, live in Bristol.
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