Connections: March 2024 - 3

Welcome
River Road
Pediatrics!
We are pleased to
welcome River Road
Pediatrics to our Dartmouth
Health Children's pediatric
system of care. River
Road Pediatrics, located
in Bedford, NH, has cared
for babies, children and
adolescents in the Bedford
area for more than 30
years. This addition to the
Dartmouth Health Children's
family allows us to provide
local, comprehensive care to
more children and families
in the region. Erik Shessler,
MD, associate medical
director of Dartmouth
Health Children's, says,
" We are thrilled to team
up with the exceptional
providers and staff at River
Road Pediatrics. Our shared
values and commitment to
provide patient- and familycentered
care provides a
wonderful foundation for
combining our practices. "
Tom Manion named Dartmouth
Hitchcock Medical Center chief
operating officer
Tom Manion, MPA, the current president and CEO of New
London Hospital, has been named chief operating officer of
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. After assuming his new role on
April 8, 2024, he will provide administrative and operational leadership
for acute care services, ambulatory practices, ancillary service,
research and Graduate Medical Education.
During his 4-year tenure at New
London Hospital, he successfully led
the organization through the stress
and uncertainty of the pandemic,
executed a multimillion-dollar
financial turnaround plan, realized
the lowest employee turnover rate
in the Dartmouth Health system,
improved employee engagement and
transitioned the electronic health
record to EPIC/eDH.
New London Hospital interim
president appointed
Lauren Geddes Wirth, MD, begins April 3
New London Hospital (NLH) has announced the appointment of
The River Road Pediatrics team,
pictured from top to bottom:
Sharon L. Van Tuil, MD, FAAP;
Martin E. Schwartzberg, MD, FAAP;
Rochelle J. Heit, MD, FAAP;
Catherine Leighton, APRN, CPNP;
Mary B. Shupe, MPH, APRN, CPNP
Lauren Geddes Wirth, MD, as interim president and chief executive
officer beginning April 3. She succeeds Tom Manion, who recently
accepted the position as chief executive officer of Dartmouth Hitchcock
Medical Center.
" I am committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation
and inclusivity that empowers our staff to advance
NLH's mission of providing exceptional care and
service to the community, " says Geddes Wirth,
who is now serving as chief medical officer
at NLH and will continue to do so during her
interim role.
" Since her arrival at NLH 6 months ago, "
CORRECTION: The Connections February issue
accidentally omitted Kyanna Lefebvre, BSN, RN, from
the Patient- and Family-Centered Care Nursing Awards.
Lefebvre was awarded The Sandy Dickau Patient and
Family-Centered Care Nursing Award.
says Jeff Hollinger, chair of the NLH board of
trustees, " Dr. Geddes Wirth has demonstrated
exceptional leadership qualities and a
profound understanding of our
organization. She will undoubtedly
bring her wealth of experience and
innovative thinking, while the board
of trustees commences a formal
search to fill the position. "
Connections: March 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Connections: March 2024
