Thomas Lavoie, Chair
Debbie Manning, Vice Chair
Obhed Giri, Secretary
Richard Elwell, Treasurer
Jill Bille
Angella Chen-Shadeed
Timothy Donovan
Normand Fortin
Madhab Gurung
Anna Hamel
Karine Jacques Batu
Vanessa Maradiaga
Dawn McKinney
Rusty Mosca
Steven Paris, MD
Jamie Pike
Karen Schoch
Kris McCracken, President and CEO
Gavin Muir, MD, Chief Medical Officer
Betsy Burtis, Chief Operating Officer
Maureen Cassidy, Chief Nursing Officer
Emily Carrara - Emily has worked in the field of recovery and substance use for the last 4 years. During that time, she earned her Certified Recovery Support Worker license and has remained dedicated to her work helping those experiencing homelessness, substance use, trauma, and other social barriers in the city of Manchester. She has been with Amoskeag Health since November 2022 where she serves as the Medication Assisted Treatment program supervisor, working with clients on motivation for change and sustained recovery. In 2023, she took on the position of overseeing this prevention project and has worked diligently with community partners to ensure efficient implementation and coordination of services to the youth in Manchester. Emily is six months away from graduating with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and plans on pursuing licensure to become a master level alcohol and drug counselor!
Chris Stetson - Chris has had the privilege of working with the YMCA of Greater Manchester for the last seven years in a variety of roles and currently as the Regional Community Outreach Director. One of the outreach programs the Y runs is YSTAY (Support, Tutor, and Adventure for Youth). They have a Y teacher placed in Manchester schools to provide academic and social emotional support to small groups of students. There is a robust curriculum with topics such as: Effective Communication, Healthy Relationships, Emotional Regulation, and Social Media. The YMCA of Greater Mancheter is excited to have recently partnered with Amoskeag Health to bring in Botvin Life Skills curriculum where students learn about substance misuse education and the effects our choices have on us.
Scott Guyer - With a strong foundation as a paraprofessional, Scott began his career supporting students with diverse learning needs in the Claremont School District. He later transitioned to the Concord School District to focus on school wide student support, emphasizing behavior intervention strategies to promote positive outcomes in the classroom. His passion for youth development extends beyond the school year. In more recent years, he’s served as the Summer Camp and Teen Director for the Granite YMCA (Concord), where he leads programming that fosters growth, leadership, and community engagement in young people. Scott has recently joined the YSTAY team where he can utilize all of the skills he has developed over the years to continue the positive impact that this program creates for youth and teens with SEL programming such as Botvin Life Skills.
Mary Forsythe-Taber, CPS - Mary Forsythe-Taber is a Prevention Champion! With over seventeen years of community prevention development, and over ten years of for-profit experience, Ms. Forsythe-Taber is passionate about developing prevention opportunities for the youth, families and communities in NH. As the Executive Director of Makin’ It Happen, Mary has led the development of a robust coalition, by focusing on bringing the Makin’ It Happen’s mission, vision and values to life. Expanding the team from two staff to ten, Mary has developed a three-focus area model – Recovery Ready Communities – focused on developing communities that care, Resiliency Essentials – offering trainings and workshops, Community Impact in the 603 – working with our communities to raise awareness and discovery prevention opportunities. This work has been achieved through a dedicated effort of expanding partnerships with the organizations and leadership of the eight communities within the Greater Manchester region.
May 14, 2025
Amoskeag Health
The Dr. Selma Deitch Center for Children & Teens 1245 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your invitation to join the 18th Annual Morning Matters breakfast. While I regret that I cannot attend in person, please know my thoughts are with you while you discuss these important matters. I would also like to thank today’s speaker, Dr. Laura Rubin, Amoskeag Health, and the Manchester Youth Wellness and Prevention Collaborative for continuing to advocate for the physical and mental health of children across the Granite State.
Since its establishment, Amoskeag Health has played a crucial role in New Hampshire’s healthcare system, particularly in its dedication to serving teenagers and children. The early years of a child’s life are fundamental, shaping the way for future success. Amoskeag Health has dutifully continued to uphold its mission and values so that every individual, regardless of their ability to pay, has access to the care and resources they need to reach their full potential.
The innovations that Amoskeag has founded, such as the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team (ACERT), demonstrate how Granite Staters stand together when addressing critical issues, including the well-being of our youth. I am proud to support this partnership between first responders and health care and service providers. As a member of Congress, I am committed to securing funding for our federally qualified health centers and providers to ensure Amoskeag continues to have the resources to provide our communities with these necessary services.
I look forward to continuing to work together to make New Hampshire stronger and healthier. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who have made today’s event such a success. We are fortunate to have Amoskeag Health, and I have no doubt that they will conti nue to positively impact our communities for years to come. Please do not hesitate to reach out if my office can ever be of any assistance.
Sincerely
Chris Pappas Member of Congress
Many thanks to: 121 South River Road, Bedford, NH for their support of our Morning Matters Breakfast since 2017.
“Thanks for all you do for our children.”
Workplace training
Independent investigations
Strategic human resources consulting Mediation and conflict resolution
Eastern Bank is committed to recognizing the good in our communities and celebrating the work of AMOSKEAG HEALTH
We proudly support the 18TH ANNUAL MORNING MATTERS BREAKFAST
Thank you
Joanne & Richard Gustafson
for getting us off to a healthy start!
Much appreciation to Judith Jolton
Who selflessly works To improve the lives and opportunities for Manchester’s youth
Thank you, Judith!
8 Kimball Hill Road, Hudson, NH
Tuesday-Friday 10:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday & Monday Closed
We are proud to support organizations that share our mission to help children live their happiest, healthiest lives.
childrens.dartmouth-health.org
New Hampshire: Claremont | Concord | Manchester | Nashua | Lebanon Keene | New London | Merrimack | Bedford | Milford | Hudson | Newport Vermont: Greater Bennington area | Windsor | Woodstock
AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire proudly supports the Morning Matters 18th Annual Breakfast
We applaud Amoskeag Health and The Dr. Selma Deitch Center for Children & Teens for providing comprehensive familyoriented primary care and support services to help improve the health and well-being of at-risk children.
To see how we keep care at the heart of our work, and serve NH's Medicaid population, please visit amerihealthcaritasnh.com.
John Sigel and Sally Reid
CCA Global Partners
Dartmouth Health Children’s
Eastern Bank
Elliot Health System
Lavallee/Brensinger Architects
Rich and Sarah Sigel
WellSense Health Plan
Associated Grocers of New England
BerryDunn
Charla Stevens Consulting LLC
Joanne & Richard Gustafson
Harvey Construction Corporation
MCPHS University
Many thanks to all of the individuals who made donations while registering for the event and during the event. Thank you for believing in our mission and supporting the children of Greater Manchester.