Three people with extensive and varied experience in health care and human services have been named to the NH Commission on Aging by Gov. Chris Sununu.
Laurie Harding, of Lebanon, and Kristine Hering, of Bridgewater both have master’s degrees in nursing; Nicholas Toumpas, of Rye, is a retired business leader and consultant to nonprofits who served as Commissioner of Health & Human Services for nine years.
The appointees will serve on the Commission for two-year terms.
Harding has spent most of her career teaching or practicing different aspects of community and public health nursing. She is engaged in several statewide and local initiatives to address the health care workforce shortage and improve the delivery of primary care in the community, particularly in the Upper Valley region. She served 10 years in the New Hampshire legislature.
Hering, also a registered nurse, is vice president of Quality Improvement for the Foundation for Healthy Communities, an affiliate of the NH Hospital Association, after 12 years as chief nursing officer for Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth. She has been an advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration in health care.
Toumpas retired from the NH Department of Health and Human Services in 2016 after 14 years, nine as Commissioner. He joined state government after many years as an executive in several high-tech companies, and today serves as a board member on several nonprofits and state educational institutions.
The Commission on Aging was established in 2019 as an independent advisor to the Governor and the General Court on policy and planning. Its mission is to give all citizens in New Hampshire the opportunity to thrive and be valued as they age. Members are drawn from the state legislature, specific state departments and members of the public.
Dan Wise, of Concord, has joined the NH Commission on Aging as director of communications and public outreach. He served as communications director for the NH Bar Association for 20 years and previously as editor of Business NH Magazine. In addition to his communications background, he brings first-hand experience with long-term care as a licensed occupational therapy assistant in skilled-nursing facilities.
