Southern New Hampshire Health

Meet Autumn Banning, practice manager for Main Street Pediatrics, Medicine Pediatrics, and Downtown Medical Associates. Autumn has been with Southern New Hampshire Health for nearly five years. In her role, she oversees 36 team members across three primary care practices. From managing budgets and handling charge reviews to supporting staff and providers, Autumn embraces the wide variety of tasks her job entails. She views her role as one that fosters collaboration with her team to enhance the patient experience, while also cultivating a work environment that inspires and motivates them. “I like to think of my role as one that empowers my team, knowing that they are the real heroes to our patients,” she says. Autumn’s journey with SNHH began after she moved back to New Hampshire from North Carolina, where she had managed a smaller, independent practice. Wanting to expand her skills, she joined the team just before the pandemic hit. She recalls the camaraderie during that challenging time and how her teams and colleagues became like family. Now, Autumn stays because of her passion for her work and the incredible teams she leads. She credits her director, Kristy, for creating an empowering work environment, and values the strong bond she shares with the other primary care managers. When she’s not working, Autumn loves spending time at the beach with her family, camping, traveling, and enjoying podcasts or audiobooks on her drive to and from work each day. Thank you, Autumn, for being the embodiment of all that is great about the Southern NH Health community.

Hello. My name is Carey Shaw. I am a pediatric social worker with ambulatory care coordination at Southern NH Medical Center. My role is to support children and their families as they navigate the complexities of healthcare setting and link them to community services to continue to help overcome barriers to health and wellbeing. I provide emotional support, connect families with community resources, and help them understand and manage their child’s medical care. I collaborate closely with doctors, nurses, and specialists to ensure a comprehensive, family-centered approach to care. My goal is to reduce stress, advocate for the child’s needs, and help families feel confident in managing their child’s health journey. My interest in becoming a pediatric social worker stems from my desire to help people navigate the complexity of the medical and social services field. I have worked most of my adult life in the medical field as a nursing assistant. During my career, I noticed that many resources are available to help people overcome the barriers to health and happiness. Unfortunately, these resources are only useful if families are aware of them and have the support they need to access them. Raising three children alongside my incredibly talented husband, who has extremely limited eyesight, has given me a personal knowledge of how a disability or illness can make negotiating life’s obstacles challenging. Working as a medical home social services care coordinator, I am given the opportunity to use my experiential knowledge of the health care system and my empathy to help others struggling to find ways to overcome life’s challenges. I love it because every day is a new challenge, and every story is unique. At the end of the day, I can, at the very least, convey to the families they are not alone, and we will continue to work together until we find a solution to meet their needs.

The Southern NH Health Medical Staff Annual Reception was held at the Courtyard Marriot in Nashua on October 4th. It was a night of celebration, camaraderie, and recognition for our dedicated providers who tirelessly serve the community. Colin McHugh, president & CEO, set the tone for the evening with a warm welcome that resonated with gratitude for the tireless efforts of the medical professionals in attendance. The staff celebrated into the night with raffles, a photo booth, and dancing! Learn more about opportunities to join our team here: https://bit.ly/3zNHMNb.

Happy #PAWeek! Let’s celebrate the incredible physician assistants who are committed to providing exceptional care for our Southern NH Health patients and community. #PAsGoBeyond

We proudly sponsor Matty Gregg in his fundraising run from Nashua to the Canadian border! His 230-mile journey began today. With the support of our partner, NH Hunger Solutions/Greater Nashua Food Council, he will raise thousands of dollars toward ending food insecurity in New Hampshire. For more information or to donate, check out The NH Hunger Run https://bit.ly/47PEky7. Did you know that our SNHH care coordination team partners with Foundation Medical Partners’ primary care and pediatric practices to increase food insecurity screening and provide resources and assistance to those having need through our Sharing Meals program? We offer food packages via a donation from Legacy Trust for patients along with info about other food resources in the community. Talk to your pediatrician or primary care provider for more info!

Celebrating 3.5 years of dedication and excellence, Kameo LeLievre has been a cornerstone of our volunteer services department at Southern NH Health. As the manager of volunteer services, Kameo is responsible for recruiting, orienting, and placing almost 100 adult and teen volunteers who enhance the patient experience every day. "My favorite part is interacting with our dedicated volunteers and hearing stories of how they’ve impacted our patients and staff," Kameo shares. Whether it's a visit from our PupPals, a meaningful item sold in our gift shop, or a moment of comfort provided by our volunteers, Kameo's leadership ensures that each interaction makes a difference. Kameo's influence extends beyond her department. She is positioned just outside the gift shop and at the heart of the hospital's daily flow. "I hear about opportunities and have learned who to pull together to try to bring them to life," she says. Her initiatives have led to the creation of The Haven, a respite for staff, the introduction of volunteer musicians and patient companions, and so much more. Her commitment to the community was recognized when she was named Young Professional of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2023. When asked what brought her to Southern NH Health, Kameo reflects: "When Betsy Houde shared this job opportunity with me, I knew it would be a big step out of my comfort zone, but it just felt right." Now, after years of service, it's the culture and sense of community that keep her here. "There is a great sense of community and connection here that makes me look forward to coming to work every day." Outside of work, Kameo finds joy in spending time with her two boys, Karson and Callahan. Whether it's playing, exploring corn mazes, or indulging in fall favorites like apple cider donuts, Kameo brings the same enthusiasm and warmth to her family as she does to her role at Southern NH Health. We are proud to celebrate Kameo's contributions and look forward to the many lives she will touch in the years to come.

Join our new support group for patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators to hear from our very special guest speaker! Our first meeting will be Thursday, October 10, from 6:30 - 8 p.m., and we will meet quarterly in the ABCD Conference Room, Lower Level at 10 Prospect St., Nashua. For more information, call 603-577-2039 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. Reservations are not required but are appreciated for our planning purposes. Register for our first event at surveymonkey.com/r/SKB3NHN. Watch the Foundation Cardiology website for future meeting details.

My name is Mike Witmer. I am a peer recovery coach at Southern NH Medical Center. As a peer recovery coach, my role is to provide non-clinical support to individuals on their path to recovery from addiction. Our emergency department nurses conduct universal screenings with all adult patients to identify any substance use behaviors. If a patient is found to be at risk, they are automatically referred to me or another member of our peer team. With lived experience in addiction, I engage, educate, and support patients, helping them navigate their recovery journey. We are available on-site seven days a week, collaborating closely with the care team to develop transitional care plans and coordinate treatment referrals. Our support doesn't stop there—we also visit patients in inpatient units. After discharge, we maintain telephone contact to address ongoing needs and provide support. For patients who have experienced an overdose or need more intensive assistance, we offer 90 days of dedicated community support, focusing on preventing future overdoses and improving their quality of life. I became a peer recovery coach because I wanted to provide a service to others who struggle with the disease of addiction that was not available to me. I love it because it gives me the opportunity to show others who suffer with this disease that WE DO RECOVER! And that with dedication and a lot of hard work, it is truly never too late to turn your life around. I still remember the staff member while I was in treatment that made that difference for me, and I want to be that difference for others. The feeling when seeing that light turn on in their eyes again is unlike any other.

Dr. Tung Nguyen of Foundation Neurosurgery is the first surgeon in northern New England to use the Stryker Airo TruCT, a cutting-edge technology now being implemented in precision neurosurgical procedures at Southern NH Medical Center. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3To3Og0. #stryker #medicaltechnology

Gani has been an invaluable part of our health system at Southern NH Medical Center for four years, working in admitting/registration for the Emergency Department. Her role involves providing guidance and support to the staff and ensuring that every patient is greeted with kindness and a smile upon their arrival. Gani's compassion and enthusiasm have made a lasting impact on both patients and colleagues. She embraced this role to share her compassion with others and continues to grow professionally, gaining new skills and experiences. Julie Oak, Gani’s supervisor, shares that Gani has brought joy and enthusiasm to everyone she meets since her first day. Known for her warm greetings and affectionate nature, Gani has been a supportive presence for both patients and staff, especially our Spanish-speaking patients. Her journey from patient registrar representative to supervisor of patient registration and admitting is a testament to her dedication and leadership. Gani’s colleagues describe her as friendly, outgoing, compassionate, and a ray of sunshine. She is always smiling, supportive, and attentive, making her a truly wonderful asset to our team. In her free time, Gani enjoys Zumba and going to the beach, reflecting her vibrant and joyful spirit. Gani's empathy and professionalism make her a cherished member of our health system.