Wentworth-Douglass among Best Hospitals, Innovation Challenge: Seacoast health news
Newsweek names Wentworth-Douglass among Best Hospitals in U.S.
DOVER – Wentworth-Douglass Hospital has been named among the best hospitals in the United States for the fourth straight year, according to Newsweek’s 2024 “World’s Best Hospitals” rankings published Wednesday.
Wentworth-Douglass was ranked 180th of the 412 American hospitals rated on the publication’s US-based list – it’s highest ranking ever. The hospital was ranked 189th in 2023, 191st in 2022, 217th in 2021, and 196th in 2020. Wentworth-Douglass was the only Seacoast hospital on the list and one of just two in the state of New Hampshire. There are currently 6,129 hospitals in the USA according to the American Hospital Association.
"We are deeply honored to find ourselves among Newsweek's Top 200 yet again," said Darin Roark, president and chief operating officer, "Every accolade we receive is a tribute to the unwavering dedication of our staff to our patients and community. Their steadfast commitment deserves every bit of acclaim they receive and I couldn't be prouder of their achievements."
You can see the full rankings online: https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/worlds-best-hospitals-2024
Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire CEO Johanna Beliveau selected for prestigious health system management fellowship
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. – The Health Management Academy has selected Johanna L. Beliveau, DNP, MBA, RN, CEO and president of Dartmouth Health member Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire (VNH), to take part in the Academy GE Fellows Program. The two-year, nationally competitive program is designed to prepare the next generation of health system executives from leading health systems like Dartmouth Health.
“Leading VNH through the COVID-19 pandemic, an ongoing clinical workforce shortage, and the financial headwinds facing the rural healthcare industry have been a crash course in executive healthcare leadership. And while I’m proud to say the tides are turning in our favor, there remains several challenges on the horizon that will require effective and innovative leadership to navigate,” said Beliveau. “I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen my skills and equip myself with a robust toolset of best practices through this exciting program. I am grateful and honored to be selected.”
Beliveau will start the Academy GE Fellows Program in April, with a combination of in-person conferences and virtual meetings.
The program will prepare Beliveau and other fellows with essential healthcare knowledge, leadership skills and business acumen to take on C-suite positions in leading health systems. Selected from new C-suite leaders as well as high-potential administrative, finance, nurse and physician senior leaders, fellows will learn to lead through collaboration, drive innovation and practice adaptive and predictive thinking.
Beliveau joins fellow Dartmouth Health system leaders Martin Thomas “Tom” Manion, president and CEO of New London Hospital and recently named COO of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, who will graduate from the administrative fellowship in spring 2025, and Joseph L. Perras, MD, president and CEO of Cheshire Medical Center who is a recent graduate of the program.
Beliveau has served as president and CEO of VNH since June 2018. She is an experienced healthcare leader with 28 years in nursing practice, and 25 years in progressive leadership roles. Prior to joining VNH, Beliveau served in multiple roles within the Dartmouth Health system, most recently as Director of Quality, Patient Safety and Compliance for Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor, VT, and as Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Clinics.
March Prostate Cancer Support Group meetings
STATEWIDE — The Prostate Cancer Support Group of New Hampshire announces not one but two meetings in March. On Saturday, March 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the group will host urology specialist Dr. Robert Mitchell of Concord Urology as its special guest speaker in its first ever in person meeting. The meeting will be held at the brand new Grappone Mazda Community Resource Room on Manchester Street in Concord with questions and discussion from the entire group. An RSVP by email to dbraiterman@outlook.com with name, address, and phone number for this meeting is requested to reserve your space.
On Wednesday of March 13, the group's regular Zoom meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. This meeting will feature a webinar replay from the Prostate Cancer Foundation, "Early Prostate Cancer Screening" with open discussion among the group after. Send an email to dbraiterman@outlook.com or look on the group's Facebook page for a link to this Zoom meeting.
Dartmouth Health member CEOs recognized in national ranking of top rural hospital executives
LEBANON– Three Dartmouth Health chief executive officers were recently named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of 110 rural hospital and health system CEOs to know for 2024. Joseph L. Perras, MD, CEO and president of Cheshire Medical Center; Susan E. Mooney, MD, MS, FACOG, CEO and president of Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital; and Thomas A. Dee, FACHE, CEO and president of Southwestern Vermont Health Care, were among those honored by Becker’s for their commitment to expanding hospital service lines, renovating and improving their facilities, and hiring talented team members.
“Dartmouth Health is a national leader in excellence in rural healthcare delivery, and this is reflected in the leadership of some of our most rural member hospitals,” said Joanne M. Conroy, MD, CEO and president of Dartmouth Health. “Dr. Mooney, Dr. Perras and Tom have led their teams through an especially challenging period in healthcare in the last four years without sacrificing the quality of care our patients have come to rely on. I’m very proud that their efforts have been recognized by Becker’s, and am grateful for their invaluable leadership.”
Becker’s noted that the CEOs on the list take on a variety of responsibilities to ensure rural communities have access to top-tier healthcare. Although many rural hospitals have struggled due to COVID-19 and national staffing shortages in recent years, the leaders included on Becker’s list have created sustainable models for continued success. To view the full list, visit https://bit.ly/431G4ls.
Innovation Challenge kicks off – Top prize up to $100,000
CONCORD – The HealthForce NH team at the Foundation for Healthy Communities today announced the launch of its Innovation Challenge, designed to promote and support innovative ventures in the health care workforce space in New Hampshire.
The online application for this multi-stage, competition-style event series can be found at https://healthforcenh.org/innovation-challenge/. Applications are due by Thursday, April 4, at 8 p.m. Proposals may be focused on talent pipeline and recruitment, pathways, education and training, equity, public policy, data, technology, leadership, sustainability and retention, or something else that helps to bolster the health care workforce in the Granite State. Monetary awards will be up to $100,000 for first place, up to $60,000 for second place and up to $40,000 for third place.
The competition is open to individuals, established organizations, or new organizations within any industry. All proposals need to reflect original thinking or original adaptations and applications of existing programs, changed to be unique. “We are seeking out partners – from health care, education, business, and a dynamic cross-sector of industries – to invest in them as they create unique new ways to help solve the workforce challenges facing the health care industry in New Hampshire,” said Luczko.
Health care is the fastest growing employment sector, projected to add almost 10,000 jobs to the economy by 2030; however, NH’s health care workforce is not poised to grow enough to fill these jobs. “HealthForce NH recognizes the effort to grow, retain and sustain a robust health care workforce is going to require thinking outside-the-box,” said Luczko. “Creative, high-impact strategies are needed to address the workforce shortage, and the Innovation Challenge is just part of an overall effort by HealthForce NH to launch bold, innovative projects to address the issue. We’re excited about the possibilities and the great new partners we will bring to the table with the Innovation Challenge.”