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 Diplomate with the American College of Healthcare Executives.

An active participant in local, regional, and state health care issues, Ms. Bowen sits on the boards of trustees for New Hampshire Hospital Association, NH Foundation for Healthy Communities, Sullivan County United Way, Sullivan County Oral Health Collaborative, and Summercrest.

Frederick Kuriger - Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer

Frederick Kuriger is charged with oversight of administrative and operational activities at Valley Regional Hospital, a post he assumed in 2002. Previously, he served as Vice President, Clinical and Support Services at Stamford Health System, Stamford, CT, and as Vice President of Bradley Memorial Hospital, Southington, CT.

Mr. Kuriger has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in public health from the University of Massachuetts, and a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University. He is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives and an advanced member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. He is active in many area civic groups including Claremont Kiwanis and Claremont Planning Board.

Gregg Burdett - Vice President for Human Resources

Mr. Burdett has been employed by Valley Regional Hospital since 2003 and currently serves as Vice President for Human Resources.  He oversees the functions of Human Resources, Education, Child Care Services and the Fitness Center.  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 president of the Claremont Chamber of Commerce.  

Margaret M. Burns, Ph.D., R.N - Vice president of Patient Services

As vice president of patient services, Margaret Burns provides clinical and managerial leadership for hospital-based nursing care. 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 posts 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. Burns is a member of American Organization of Nurse Executives and American Nurses Association.

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, Steven joined Valley Regional Hospital as its controller in 2005 and was appointed CFO in 2007. He brings over 25 years experience in health care finance to Valley Regional. 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. Steven attended Western New England College in Springfield, MA, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is active in the NH/VT Chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Association. He is also an investment committee member with the Sullivan County United Way and chaired the hospital’s United Way campaign in 2006. He lives with his family in a scenic village along the Connecticut River.