instED Taps Healthcare Veteran Don Stiffler as CEO to Steer Expansion

BOSTON, MA – December 29, 2025 – Mobile acute care provider instED announced today it has appointed Don Stiffler, a seasoned healthcare executive with over three decades of experience, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. The move signals a strategic push to accelerate the company's growth and broaden the availability of its innovative in-home acute care services at a time when traditional healthcare systems face unprecedented pressure.

Stiffler will take the helm of the Boston-based company, tasked with guiding its expansion strategy. His appointment is not that of an outsider, but of a long-time architect of instED’s vision who will now directly lead its execution. This transition reinforces the company’s commitment to its mission of providing a crucial alternative to emergency department visits by delivering timely medical care directly to patients' homes.

A Legacy of Growth and Transformation

Stiffler brings more than 35 years of deep-seated expertise spanning both the payer and provider landscapes of the healthcare industry. His career is marked by leadership roles focused on strategic growth, operational enhancement, and clinical innovation. Most recently, he served as the Chief Growth and Transformation Officer at Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA), a prominent health plan specializing in care for individuals with complex medical needs. At CCA, he was instrumental in shaping strategy, developing new products, managing network and provider relations, and driving market expansion.

His experience is particularly relevant to instED's model, which often serves patients with complex health profiles. Prior to his tenure at CCA, Stiffler was a Senior Vice President at UnitedHealth Group's Optum, where he led sales, clinical operations, business development, and network management for its Complex Care division across 39 markets. This extensive background in managing intricate care delivery systems and fostering growth in competitive environments positions him uniquely to navigate instED’s next chapter.

An Architect Takes the Controls

Stiffler’s connection to instED runs deep, making his appointment a natural progression rather than a course correction. As part of his executive leadership role at CCA, he was directly responsible for the day-to-day management of instED and has also served multiple terms as the company's board chair. This long-standing involvement means he possesses an intimate understanding of the company's operational strengths, challenges, and strategic imperatives. He is, in effect, an architect of the company's current strategy who is now stepping into the lead role to oversee its implementation.

His passion for the company's mission is evident. In a statement accompanying the announcement, Stiffler highlighted the critical need for the services instED provides.

“At a time when hospitals and EMS systems are increasingly overburdened, offering convenient and high-quality alternatives to the emergency department is essential to keeping our healthcare system running smoothly,” said Don Stiffler. “This is why I’m so passionate about bringing instED to more patients. Being able to receive timely, expert-level acute care in place yields better outcomes and lower costs for the patients and communities who need it most.”

Addressing a Critical Gap in Healthcare

The strategic importance of instED's model has grown significantly as emergency departments (EDs) across the country contend with overcrowding and long wait times, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are stretched thin. The company offers a solution by providing on-demand, integrated acute care in the comfort of a patient's home. This 'hospital-at-home' approach is a growing trend in healthcare, driven by its potential to improve patient outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and reduce the overall cost of care.

instED’s care model deploys a network of highly trained paramedics, physicians, and nurses who can treat a range of acute conditions that might otherwise require an ED visit. This includes care for patients with complex health needs who are particularly vulnerable to the risks of hospitalization. The entire process is underpinned by a proprietary technology platform that enables real-time communication and coordination between the mobile medical teams and the patient's primary and longitudinal care providers, ensuring a seamless and integrated care experience.

By safely delivering care in place, the company not only increases a patient's access to immediate medical attention but also alleviates the significant strain on overburdened emergency infrastructure, freeing up critical resources for the most severe cases.

Charting the Path for National Expansion

Stiffler's appointment is designed to accelerate a carefully planned growth trajectory. The leadership transition will be seamless, with interim CEO Evan Berg, MD, continuing to play a pivotal role in the company's future. Dr. Berg will assume the dual titles of Chief Medical Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, where he will continue to lead clinical innovation, guide quality improvement efforts, and oversee enhancements to instED’s proprietary care model. His clinical leadership has been critical to the company's success, and his ongoing partnership with Stiffler ensures a powerful combination of operational expertise and clinical excellence at the executive level.

While instED has been providing in-home acute care for over a decade and currently serves patients across Massachusetts 365 days a year, its ambitions are national. The company holds licenses in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Oregon, and Texas, signaling a clear roadmap for future market entries. Stiffler's proven track record in market expansion is expected to be the catalyst that transforms these licenses into active operations, bringing instED’s vital services to more communities across the United States.