BOSTON, Mass. — instED has appointed Don Stiffler as chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2026, as the mobile acute care provider moves to accelerate growth and expand access to in-home acute care services.
Stiffler brings more than 35 years of healthcare experience to the role. Most recently, he served as chief growth and transformation officer at Commonwealth Care Alliance, where he oversaw strategy, product development, provider and network relations, clinical innovation, and market expansion. During that time, he also led the day-to-day management of instED and served multiple terms as the company’s board chair.
Earlier in his career, Stiffler was a senior vice president at UnitedHealth Group/Optum, where he led sales, clinical operations, business development, and network management across 39 markets within the company’s complex care division.
Company officials said Stiffler’s appointment reflects the vision and strategy he has already helped shape. His experience across both payer and provider organizations, along with a track record of driving growth and operational improvement, positions him to lead instED during a key expansion phase.
“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,” Stiffler said. “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.”
Interim CEO Evan Berg, M.D., will continue with the company as chief medical officer and chief strategy officer. In those roles, he will remain responsible for clinical quality, innovation, and continued improvements to instED’s care model. Company officials said Berg and Stiffler will work closely with the leadership team to ensure a smooth transition and advance the organization’s long-term strategy.
