Governance and Management

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is comprised of community members who provide oversight of the hospital's fulfillment of its mission, vision, and values. They are united in achieving the highest standards of excellence while remaining financially viable. The primary functions of the Board of Trustees include:

• Approval of a strategic plan and priorities for the development of a comprehensive health care delivery system
• Approval of a quality improvement plan and process
• Establishment, monitoring, and achievement of corporate financial objectives
• Appointment, evaluation, and oversight of CEO/President for Valley Regional Health Care
• Appointment of Medical Staff members
• Identify opportunities for growth
• Provide advocacy to community, businesses, and legislature
• Review of corporate structure and performance

Senior Leadership

Valley Regional has officers responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hospital, home care services, and outpatient centers. Each individual possess advanced training, education and experience in health care administration.

Claire Bowen - President/CEO

As President and CEO, Claire Bowen is responsible for the oversight of the system's budgeting, planning, and daily operations. Ms. Bowen has over three decades of experience in hospital administration. Prior to her appointment in 1999, she served as the highest-ranking officer of Fairview Hospital, Great Barrington, MA, and Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, Lebanon, NH. In addition, she held senior administrative positions at Concord Hospital, Concord, NH, and Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland, VT.

Ms. Bowen has a master's degree in hospital and health care administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, and a bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's College, North Windham, ME. She serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Joseph's and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. An active participant in local, regional, and state health care issues, Ms. Bowen has served on the boards of trustees for the New Hampshire Hospital Association, NH Foundation for Healthy Communities, Sullivan County United Way, Rural Health Coalition, Claremont Dental Initiative, Sullivan County Oral Health Collaborative, and Summercrest.

Gregg Burdett - Vice President for Administration & Physician Services

Mr. Burdett has been employed by Valley Regional Hospital since 2003 and currently serves as Vice President for Administration and Physician Services. He oversees the functions of Human Resources, Child Care Services, Plant Operations, Nutrition Services, Environmental Services, and Vital Signs Fitness Center as well as holding management responsibility for all hospital employed physicians.

Prior to joining Valley Regional he spent seven years as Director of Human Resources for London-based Smiths Medical where he was responsible for all facilities in North America, Latin America and the U.K. Additionally he held human resources management positions at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, NH and Sharon Hospital in Sharon, CT. He holds a bachelor's degree in management from Boston University.

Mr. Burdett is active in local community, civic, and business activities. Most notably, he is past-president of the Claremont Chamber of Commerce.

Margaret M. Burns, Ph.D., R.N. - Vice President of Patient Services/Chief Nursing Officer

As vice president of patient services, Margaret Burns provides clinical and operational leadership for nursing, clinical and outpatient services. She brings more than 20 years of nursing leadership, management, and educational experience to Valley Regional Hospital. Previously, Dr. Burns was director of inpatient and critical care services at Northeast Hospital Corporation, Beverly, MA, where she oversaw 180 nurses and 90 other personnel at two different hospitals. She has also held supervisory positions at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH, and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA.

Dr. Burns has held academic appointments at Endicott College, Beverly, MA; University of New Hampshire, Manchester, NH; University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA; and University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver, CO.

Her educational achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Syracuse University, master's degree in community health nursing/family nurse practitioner from Emory University, and a doctoral degree from University of Colorado School of Nursing. Dr. Burns is a member of American Organization of Nurse Executives.

Steven Monette - Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Steven Monette oversees all financial functions of the hospital including budgeting, planning, accounting, reimbursement and asset management. A senior health care financial manager, Steve joined Valley Regional Hospital as its Controller in 2005 and was appointed CFO in 2007. He brings over 28 years experience in health care finance to Valley Regional Hospital.

His experience includes managing accounting, budgeting, reimbursement, revenue cycle, and patient accounting operations for a multi-hospital health care system and a community hospital, both in Massachusetts. Steve attended Western New England College in Springfield, MA, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. He is active in the NH/VT Chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Association and continues to support community activities, most recently having served on the Investment Committee for United Way of Sullivan County and the Board of Directors for the Claremont Chamber of Commerce. He lives with his family in a scenic village along the Connecticut River.

Assembly of Overseers

The Assembly of Overseers serves as a valuable link between the greater community and the hospital. This group of community members stays active and involved in hospital activities and events. It provides input, advice, and counsel on how the hospital can improve its services and continue a positive impact within the community. Members serve as advocates for the organization with the local business community, governmental representatives, and health care community. Overseers may also represent the hospital as members of ad hoc committees and other means of service.

The Assembly of Overseers influences hospital governance by participating in the selection and election of the hospital's Board of Trustees. Overseers also review and approve changes to the hospital's bylaws.