Dartmouth Health nurses named among New Hampshire’s best in 2026 Excellence in Nursing Awards

Eight nurses and one nursing team within the Dartmouth Health system were recognized as some of New Hampshire’s best by the New Hampshire Nurses Association and New Hampshire Magazine in their annual Excellence in Nursing Awards, celebrating members of the state’s nursing community who go above and beyond and shed light on the critical role of nursing incomprehensive healthcare.

Those recognized include:

• Christina F. Martin, MSN, APRN, was named Nurse Practitioner of the Year. Martin is a family nurse practitioner in the department of infectious disease and international health at Dartmouth Health’s Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) and co-leads Dartmouth Health’s Post-Acute COVID Syndrome (PACS) Clinic, providing specialty care for patients navigating the many challenges of living with PACS, or long COVID. She has been with Dartmouth Health since 2008 and spent a year volunteering in Tajikistan with Doctors Without Borders.
• Amanda K. Brissette, RN, BSN, clinical nurse supervisor of outpatient services at Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics in Manchester and Bedford, was named Frontline Leader. She began at Dartmouth Health 15 years ago as an intern.
• Alison S. Patten, RN, who works in maternal child health at DHMC. She has worked in the intensive care nursery since July of 1987.
• Rachel L. Ortiz, RN, a triage nurse who specializes in psychiatric mental health for children, adolescents, geriatrics, autism and mood disorders at DHMC.
• Paula B. Seaman, MSN, DA, RN, CENP, is the chief nursing officer at Dartmouth Health’s Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (APD). She is currently leading the charge for APD’s ANCC Pathway to Excellence designation, and helped secure ANCC PTAP Accreditation for APD’s nurse residency program. She also developed the PEER Program at APD, providing timely access to mental health support through early access to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and equine assisted learning and therapy.
• Sarah R. Johnston, MSN, RN, CENP, CCRN, nursing director of the medical-surgical unit, short stay unit, and cardiopulmonary and care management at APD, where she leads geriatric work across the campus and serves as Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) coordinator. Johnston also recently led the system through implementation of a standard screening tool for delirium, and led APD to become Age Friendly through the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Additionally, she is co-leading the system work for implementation of Age Friendly across the Dartmouth Health system.
• Erin E. Ryan, RN, is a clinical nurse APD and co-chair of the med-surg unit-based council, and participates in the unit and system work on caring for patients with delirium. A preceptor, Ryan helps newly licensed and experienced nurses transition to nursing at APD.
• Rebecca L. Socci, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC, WCC, director of clinical education at Dartmouth Health’s New London Hospital (NLH), was awarded the Professional Nurse Educator Award. In 2022, she became the first formally hired educator for NLH, and has since expanded the education department.

Honors have also been given to the entire neurology nursing team within DHMC.

"There's no such thing as world-class health care without world-class nursing, and nowhere is that more evident than within the organizations of Dartmouth Health. We are delighted that nine of our Dartmouth Health nurses were selected by their peers for recognition, and will be highlighted for their excellence in nursing practice,” said Dartmouth Health chief nursing executive Susan A. Reeves, EdD, RN, CENP. “Thank you to the New Hampshire Nurses Association and New Hampshire Magazine for their efforts each year to sponsor the Excellence in Nursing awards, helping us shine a light on the many remarkable contributions our nurses make to the patients and families they serve."

To learn more about the 2026 Excellence in Nursing Awards winners, visit nhmagazine.com/excellence-in-nursing/.