Three Elliot Health System Nurses Honored with New Hampshire Magazine Excellence in Nursing Awards

Nurses from VNA of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire, Elliot Ambulatory Services and Front Line/Administrative Nursing are Recognized

Manchester, NH – Elliot Health System is pleased to announce that three of its nurses are being honored by New Hampshire Magazine with Excellence in Nursing Awards. Donna Poirier, BSN, RN, HNB-BC is receiving the Ambulatory Care Nursing Award. Anna Holland, BSN, RN, AMB-BC is receiving the Front Line - Administrative Nursing Award for a large hospital, and Lynda Martin-Heaney,BSN, RN of the VNA of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire, is receiving the Public Health Nursing Award. The awards celebrate the very best in nursing to honor those who go above and beyond.

Donna Poirier, BSN, RN, HNB-BC

Donna currently serves in The Elliot Pain Management Center and has a background in neonatal nursing. She not only excels as a nurse at the bedside, she is also dedicated to sharing her knowledge and expertise for the good of the community. Donna has served in nursing for 38 years, 36 of which are with The Elliot. She brings her skill, determination and knowledge to colleagues, and patients. She leads a Chronic Pain Support Group for The Elliot, which is a free service, open to the public with no reservations needed and welcomes anyone living with an ongoing pain problem, and their family members who want help. Donna’s commitment to her patients and our community is commended.

Donna said, “It’s been an honor and a privilege to care for our youngest to some of the oldest members of our community in my career at The Elliot.  Receiving this award has been a humbling experience but I truly appreciate the acknowledgement of the beneficial holistic approach to pain management and the value the support group provides to our community. It takes a village to support our village…from local alternative therapy resources to my amazing team at The Pain Management Center, and the patients themselves…in the end we are all just people helping people live better lives.”

Anna Holland, BSN, RN, AMB-BC

Anna is an Ambulatory Clinical Nurse Manager with oversight of three primary care offices within Elliot Health System. She inspires colleagues with her constant perseverance and tenacity in ensuring staff and providers feel supported and empowered to provide the safest and highest quality care every day. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2021 and is a vocal proponent of life-long learning. She challenges her teams to "do it better tomorrow than we do today" and to continuously question the norm. She exemplifies someone who always looks for opportunity for improvement. She is strong in LEAN management principles and provides the setting for all to have an equal voice regardless of title or role, supporting the organizational vision "to be the first to give and receive care".

Anna said, “I am honored to receive this recognition along with the support given by The Elliot. Receiving this award is humbling yet drives me to continue to do more to provide the best possible care. In primary care we work as a team to meet our patients’ needs and I work with some of the best who deserve this as much as I do.”

Lynda Martin-Heaney BSN, RN

Lynda currently serves in the role of Education Coordinator for the Visiting Nurses Association of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire. She was a transitional care rehab nurse prior to coming to the VNA. Very shortly after starting at the VNA she joined the home infusions (IV) team as a case manager, then transitioned into a clinical manager role in her third year with the VNA. Lynda’s exceptional people, communication, organizational skills, and ability to see the big picture made her a respected manager. In her current role of Education Coordinator, Lynda is easily able to communicate complex ideas and apply adaptive teaching styles to ensure clinicians benefit from her teaching. She strives to ensure each clinician understands the VNA impact on our community by sharing her skill and knowledge. She embodies The Elliot values with her caring, helpful presence as the VNA Education Coordinator.

Lynda said, “I am grateful to my colleagues who recognized my efforts in the home health field and nominated me for this award. I feel honored, humbled, and excited to receive this Nursing Excellence award. The recognition reinforces my drive and dedication to home care and community health.”