New Hampshire Hospital Association
Honors Outstanding Service in Health Care at 2025 Annual Meeting
At its Annual Meeting recently held October 19 – 21, 2025, the New Hampshire Hospital Association (NHHA) honored five individuals from across the state who have made significant contributions to their hospital or the health care field.
“We are honored to be able to celebrate the true heart of health care: the tireless dedication and bold leadership of our award recipients. They represent the gold standard for elevating patient care, championing innovation and deepening the vital trust between our hospitals and the communities we are privileged to serve,” stated Steve Ahnen, president of the New Hampshire Hospital Association.
Below is a list of the recipients for the 2025 NHHA Awards of Excellence:
NHHA Executive Vice President Kathy Bizarro-Thunberg MBA, FACHE, was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Bizarro-Thunberg, who is celebrating her 40th year with the organization, began her career at the NHHA as a data technician, rising to the role of Associate Director of Data, then Director of Information Services, Vice President, and Executive Vice President in 2002. Her work over the years has been instrumental in shaping the Association and Foundation for Healthy Communities, public policy in support of New Hampshire hospitals, health systems and the patients and communities they serve. In addition to working with New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation and the American Hospital Association regarding legislation on the federal agenda that affects health care and hospitals, her leadership has also been vital on data management efforts, public health issues and emergency preparedness planning.
Stephen J. LeBlanc, the Dartmouth Health System Chief Strategy Officer, was recognized with The James A. Hamilton Founder’s Award, NHHA’s highest honor. The Founder’s Award is presented only as appropriate for outstanding service to health care on behalf of the people of New Hampshire. The recipient shall be a person whose integrity and constant commitment are evident to those around them, and whose extraordinary achievement or exceptional contribution in the interest of human health and well-being has extended into the local community, state or nation. LeBlanc was recognized as a transformational leader who was instrumental in the creation of the New England Alliance for Health, carried out the Dartmouth Hitchcock commitment to rural health delivery and led Dartmouth Hitchcock’s involvement in payment reform efforts going back to the creation of an Accountable Care Organization that allowed other hospitals to participate and learn from the ACO experience.
Daniel P. Jantzen, Dartmouth Health’s Chief Financial Officer, was the recipient of the President’s Award for making an exceptional contribution directly to NHHA, playing an active role in furthering the purposes of NHHA and adding maximum value to the field of health care. Jantzen’s skills were never more evident than during NHHA’s work with the State of New Hampshire to achieve a new agreement for the Medicaid Enhancement Tax/Disproportionate Share Program. Jantzen was part of a small group that met daily, many times after hours, to craft a mutually acceptable agreement for the state and local hospitals.
Dr. Barry Gendron, DO, MBA, CPE, the Huggins Hospital Chief Medical Officer, was the recipient of the Medical Staff Award for outstanding service to his hospital and community, an honor bestowed upon a medical staff member whose professional performance has strengthened the cooperation between the hospital and the medical staff and who brings credit to the institution and the community. According to his colleagues, Dr. Gendron has been the embodiment of excellence in health care leadership. One of his most notable accomplishments was overseeing the successful transition from a 24-hour in-house hospitalist model at Huggins Hospital to an integrated telehealth system for night coverage. In addition, he championed the creation of a Surgical Readiness Program, ensuring patients receive comprehensive preoperative care tailored to their needs.
Patricia Putnam of Dartmouth Health: Valley Regional Hospital’s Joint VRH-MAHHC Board of Trustees was recognized with the Outstanding Trustee of the Year Award. This award is presented to a trustee of a New Hampshire Hospital Association member institution whose achievement in the field of hospital trusteeship stands out above all others, and who serves as an example to encourage others in the pursuit of excellence in hospital governance. Putnam was instrumental in guiding Valley Regional’s successful affiliation with Dartmouth Health and remains an active member of the community, committed to ensuring sustainability, affordability and access to care for small and underserved communities in the Upper Valley.
Photo Credit: Amanda Bizarro Photography, LLC
