Martin Durtschi, MD, FACS, has been named Vice President of Medical Affairs and Quality at Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH), a nonprofit community hospital and healthcare system serving Northeast Connecticut and nearby Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The appointment was made on November 16, 2021.

Dr. Durtschi brings nearly 40 years of healthcare leadership and clinical experience to Day Kimball, including prior clinical and executive leadership positions at healthcare organizations throughout the country, most recently as Attending Surgeon and Director of Acute Care Surgery at Valley Medical Center at the University of Washington, in Renton, Washington. Prior to that, he was a trauma surgeon at the University of Washington, spent three decades in private practice of general and thoracic surgery, and was among the first to perform major laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery in Seattle. 

“Martin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in clinical services and administrative leadership to Day Kimball, and he is a welcome addition to our executive leadership team,” said Kyle Kramer, chief executive officer, Day Kimball Healthcare. “His impressive credentials combined with his leadership skills make it easy for him to engage with team members at all levels of the organization. In the short time he has been with us, he is already making a tremendous impact on the strength of our organization."

In this position as Vice President, Dr. Durtschi is responsible for serving as the liaison between the DKH medical staff and executive staff within the DKH system of care. He oversees the medical staff office, quality improvement/risk management department, and the medical staff directors of eleven areas of care.

“I am excited about the opportunity to support Day Kimball’s legacy of consistency in providing high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care, with a focus on patient safety,” Dr. Durtschi said. “Day Kimball is an excellent community hospital with remarkable quality distinctions and a top notch medical staff and leadership team. I look forward to continuing to build on the terrific success of this organization and meeting the healthcare needs of the people of Northeast Connecticut.”

Dr. Durtschi is a graduate of both the School of Medicine and the General Surgery Residency at the University of Washington, and completed his post-doctoral fellowship in Burns and Trauma at the University of Washington’s National Institute of Health. He has been a co-founder, partner, and board member in private medical enterprises including ambulatory surgical centers, multispecialty and single specialty clinical groups and medical office buildings. Dr. Durtschi is a fellow of the American College of Surgeon, and was formerly a board examiner for and certified by the American Board of Surgery.

Dr. Durtschi was named “America’s Top Surgeons” by Consumer’s Research Council of Washington, DC, five consecutive years, from 2007 through 2011. He was among the “Top Rated Physicians in America” by the Center for Study of Services of Washington, DC, in 1999, and was the recipient of the Henry Harkins Award by the American College of Surgeons in 1984. Additionally, he has authored a substantial number of abstracts, posters, and presentations. 

Originally from Idaho, Dr. Durtschi now lives in Portsmouth, RI with his wife Kitty, and they have two grown sons. He enjoys fly fishing, photography, travel and sporting clays shooting in his spare time.

Photo caption: Day Kimball Healthcare Vice President of Medical Affairs and Quality Dr. Martin Durtschi