Lancaster, N.H. (May 23, 2023) – Little things matter so much for those receiving care. Beyond actual treatment, a smile, a helping hand or a casual conversation can be very welcoming and meaningful to those in need of care. It’s these and other elements that spawned the Healthcare Heroes community effort over three years ago to recognize dedicated individuals in healthcare who go above and beyond the call of duty when caring for patients and providing them with all the essentials needed to help them heal.
To shine a light on the work done not only in front-line but behind the scenes so that care can be delivered and maintained, regional 2023 NH Healthcare Heroes were recently selected. In the North Country Region, Anna Lingelbach-Lorenz, Orthopedic Physician Assistant at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, was named a NH Healthcare Hero at a recent pinning ceremony.
“Healthcare heroes exist in all facets of this large and critical sector of our economy,” said Roxie Severance, healthcare sector advisor for the New Hampshire Sector Partnerships Initiative (SPI). “Positions such as nurses, doctors, dentists and paramedics as well as those who cook, clean and help patients in other ways are all crucial to helping communities thrive and ensuring residents are cared for. As a way of recognizing them for all that they do, we wanted to share their inspirational stories and recognize them for their hard work and dedication. Congratulations to all the amazing winners and runners-up.”
One healthcare hero and a runner-up from seven regions across New Hampshire were recently selected through nominations submitted by colleagues, family, friends and patients. In total, 30 healthcare heroes and 49 runners-up have been recognized since the program’s inception.
Here’s what Anna’s nominator, Karen, said about her: “Anna strives to make a difference for her peers, her patients, and her community. She is a very active and engaged provider and her kind and thorough approach makes her a provider favorite among patients. She is asked for by name. She makes a difference each and every day and we feel she deserves to be recognized and celebrated.”
In 2020, the healthcare sector team at SPI developed the NH Healthcare Heroes effort to shine a light on the essential roles and opportunities to help others by working in the healthcare field. SPI is a collaborative, industry-led program that provides funding, training expertise and other resources to help companies within a growing industry sector collaborate on workforce development needs together. Since that time, numerous organizations and volunteers have stepped up to support and promote the effort and help select honorees.
“This is a truly organic effort to recognize these individuals and call attention to the need to support people in the healthcare profession and encourage others to consider a career in healthcare. I am greatly appreciative to our volunteers and sponsors that have helped make this happen since 2000,” Severance said.
The NH Healthcare Heroes effort is sponsored in part by by the Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center (SNHAHEC) through The CDC Health Equity Grant and through the support of our generous sponsors, which include Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, SolutionHealth, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the New Hampshire Health Care Association, the New Hampshire Sector Partnership Initiative (SPI), Cambridge Trust Charitable Foundation, North Country Healthcare, Northeast Delta Dental, NH Needs Caregivers! initiative, and Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center.
For more information and to follow the stories from our heroes and runners up, follow the effort on social media at Facebook.com/HealthcareHeroesNH.
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Photo caption: Anna Lingelbach-Lorenz from Weeks Medical Center was recently named North Country Healthcare Hero. (Photo courtesy of NH Healthcare Heroes)
