MIDDLEBURY— Seleem Choudhury on Tuesday resigned his post as president and chief operating officer of UVM Health Network Porter Medical Center effective immediately. The Porter Board announced that Fred Kniffin, MD, will return in an interim role during this time of transition.
In an e-mail to the Porter community, Choudhury wrote that he had concluded he could no longer lead the organization, and he offered a personal apology and expressed deep admiration for the Porter community.
The resignation follows recent news stories that he had plagiarized some of the work in his weekly e-mails to Porter employees and the broader community.
Porter’s board of directors accepted Choudhury’s resignation and thanked him for putting the interests of the Porter community at the forefront.
“The members of the Porter board are saddened by the situation, and believe this is the right decision for the Porter community to move forward,” said Sivan Cotel, Porter Medical Center Board chairman. “Seleem worked hard for the organization and we appreciate his service. It is now time for us to look to the future.”
UVM Health Network leadership also expressed appreciation for the work Choudhury has done in the months since taking the helm at Porter.
“I want to thank Seleem for doing what he feels is best for Porter,” said UVM Health Network CEO Dr. John Brumsted. “Some may view this as a drastic step given the circumstances, but when a leader believes he can no longer be effective in his role, it is right to step aside. I believe Seleem deserves a second chance and we will be working with him to see if there is an opportunity elsewhere in the UVM Health Network where his skills and talents can be applied.”
For his part, Choudhury issued a personal apology to the Porter community:  
Dear Porter Community,
I realize my actions surrounding my weekly e-mails were wrong and I apologize. I know I am no longer the right person to lead Porter and have made the decision to resign. I care very much for the organization and its people and have tried to inspire others through connection, dedication and passion. Above all, I want Porter to be successful.
I will always be in awe of you, from those within the hospital, to the community clinics and of course those who work in the beautiful Helen Porter skilled nursing facility. I will recall with fondness my time at Porter, through visible attentive leadership and warm conversations walking the halls and working in the cafeteria. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this special place.
– Seleem