By JAY LUCAS
Sunshine Initiative
This week we are delighted to highlight a true entrepreneurial spirit — a leader in the community who is prepared to make the most of any situation — expected or totally unanticipated — Nick Vailas — a pure inspiration. His success in life and his commitment to helping those in need are traits that are truly admirable.
Nick is a Manchester native and it’s well known that Nick was a football star in high school. Then Nick would go on to become a 4-year starter at Plymouth State College and achieved a degree in health education. He would tailor his knowledge of health and his commitment to on-field activities to launching a successful career and serving his community that would shape and define the person many of us know today. Nick has truly helped shape the sports medicine industry as well as having made a positive impact on society via sports, medicine and even the business of healthcare.
Nick Vailas is the founder of Bedford Ambulatory Surgical Center https://bascnh.com/ , which has been providing top-notch medical treatment since 1993. Nick also established Apple Tree Physical Therapy. He dedicated so much time to creating services to ensure so many can live better and healthier lives. His experience, knowledge, and leadership in healthcare would lead him to public service where he served as Director of New Hampshire’s Health and Human Resources. You’d think that would be enough for someone, but not Nick Vailas. He somehow would find time to give back, to create new opportunities for children, and establish a new path of doing even more good.
Nick, like so many parents, would coach, train, and mentor students of all ages. Seeing the need for access to sports medicine and knowing not everyone has the means to them, Nick would gather the best of the best and go on to create the Safe Sports Network, a group of medical professionals providing sports medicine care. Nick started the BASC East vs. West High School Football Game to benefit Dartmouth Health’s Children. This game not only showcases the best of the best in high school football but also creates programs both on and off the field to strengthen a player’s commitment to giving back to their community. Today, this game is one of the most successful fundraisers for the hospital and continues to grow year after year.
Nick Vailas is a true leader, friend, and passionate community member. He has had an amazingly positive impact — first by seeing a need and whenever an unexpected opportunity might arise, he would find the energy and take the initiative to make good things happen! Thank you, Nick, for all the wonderful good that you have achieved!
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