Vermont Data Enclave Set Up to Advance Health Research

Healthcare stakeholders in the State of Vermont have jointly launched a secure, collaborative data enclave designed to remove barriers to large-scale, data-driven clinical and population health research.

The University of Vermont (UVM), Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine, and UVM Health Network (UVMHN) say this initiative marks a pivotal step in bridging academic research and sensitive, real-world data in Vermont, laying the foundation for evidence-based policymaking and research-informed health care delivery.

The organizations said that the data enclave provides a protected environment for researchers to access and analyze clinical data, which is critical in health research, where data sets often include protected health information, insurance claims data, electronic health records, and other personally identifiable information. They added that this separation ensures that research activities do not compromise the integrity or security of patient data, while enabling broader use of EHR data for scientific inquiry.

“This is about creating a safe space for researchers to work with sensitive data in a way that supports both innovation and compliance,” said Steve Goldman, chief information officer at Larner, in a statement. “It’s a structured solution to long-standing challenges in data sharing between clinical and academic entities,” added Goldman, who is executive sponsor for the data enclave initiative.

The enclave also facilitates integration of multiple datasets—including state-level public health data—allowing researchers to explore complex questions about regional health trends, disparities, and outcomes. “Without organized access to aggregated data, we miss critical opportunities to improve health outcomes for Vermonters,” said Kate Tracy, Ph.D., senior associate dean for research at the Larner College of Medicine and director of research for UVMHN, in a statement.

“Without this access—and the ability to ask insightful questions about different patient populations and communities—we risk overlooking critical patterns in our catchment area. That means missed opportunities to intervene, improve outcomes, and deliver more equitable and cost-effective care,” Tracy added.

UVM’s recent R1 designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, combined with its expertise in health and medicine and its land-grant mission, underscores a vital responsibility: to lead innovation and advance research that addresses Vermont’s most urgent challenges—particularly in healthcare. The data enclave is part of a broader infrastructure supported by the UVM Office of the Vice President for Research, UVM Enterprise Technology Services, and the Vermont Advanced Computing Center. 
Planning for the enclave began in April 2023, supported by funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

“Thanks in part to strong leadership and persistent advocacy, we now have a foundation that can support transformative research across disciplines—from psychiatry to data science—with a full partnership between UVM and UVMHN,” said Kirk Dombrowski, UVM’s vice president for research and economic development, in a statement.