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

Elliot Health System is pleased to announce that three of its nurses are being honored by New Hampshire Magazine with Excellence in Nursing Awards. Lauren Kempton, BSN, RN-BC is receiving the Medical Surgical Nursing Award. Amber Bechard, MSN, RN, CNL, TCRN is receiving the Nurse Innovator Award, and Johanne Fisher BSN, RN, CPN is receiving the Pediatric and School Nursing Award. The awards celebrate the very best in nursing to honor those who go above and beyond. 

Lauren Kempton has been honored with the Excellence in Nursing Award in the category of Medical-Surgical Nursing. This award recognizes a nurse working in an acute care setting, including inpatient units such as medical-surgical floors, post-op care, and same-day surgery. Lauren has spent her entire 11-year nursing career on the Fitch unit at Elliot Hospital, where she continues to serve as a floor nurse. Her daily responsibilities include patient assessments, medication administration, wound care, mobility assistance, and patient and family education. She plays a vital role as an advocate, especially for patients without family support. "Nurses are often called the ‘eyes and ears’ of the hospital," she explains. "We really get to know our patients and are often the first to detect subtle but critical changes in their condition." 

Kempton believes deeply in the power of compassionate care. “Every patient interaction is an opportunity to make a genuine difference,” she says, a perspective that shapes her approach to quality care. Her philosophy is rooted in respect, teamwork, and treating each patient with dignity. Even on the busiest days, she emphasizes the importance of working together. Her unit’s motto, “teamwork makes the dreamwork,” drives that effort. Reflecting on the recognition, she shares, “It’s an honor to be recognized for the work we do, even when it may go unnoticed. Most people are fighting a battle we may know nothing about, so always be kind.” Lauren credits her education at Fitchburg State University for helping her see the bigger picture in health care, and she acknowledges her mother as a driving force in her journey. She says, “She believed in me and knew I was destined to become a nurse.” 

Amber Bechard is the recipient of the Excellence in Nursing Award in the Nurse Innovator category. This honor recognizes nurses who lead through innovation—whether by developing new systems or products, improving healthcare delivery, or advancing quality improvement. Amber serves as the trauma performance improvement (PI) coordinator at Elliot Hospital, where she monitors and evaluates trauma patient care. Her role is centered on identifying areas of improvement and implementing strategic changes to elevate outcomes and align with national quality standards. With 13 years of nursing experience, Amber’s focus on evidence-based care and consistency has had a measurable impact on patient care pathways across the organization. “By standardizing protocols and pathways, we ensure that care is not only high quality but also equitable and predictable,” she says. 

Amber’s work reflects a deep commitment to Elliot Health System’s mission of delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care. As part of the trauma department, she plays a key role in system-wide quality improvement initiatives that strengthen outcomes for injured patients. “Quality care means addressing not only physical needs, but also the emotional and psychological,” she says, underscoring the holistic approach she brings to her role. Amber credits her professional growth to a steady path of lifelong learning—starting as a telemetry nurse, transitioning into adult intensive care, and later earning her master’s degree as a clinical nurse leader. “That foundation helped me evolve into both a caregiver and a leader,” she reflects. She also acknowledges the support of mentor Lindsey Whelan: “Her mentorship and encouragement helped me reach this milestone. Lindsey’s dedication to excellence has made a lasting impact on both my personal and professional growth.” 

Johanne Fisher is the recipient of the Excellence in Nursing Award in the Pediatric and School Nursing category, which honors nurses working with the pediatric population or in school settings. She has been with Elliot Hospital for 16 years, 14 of which have been dedicated to pediatric nursing. As a resource nurse on the pediatric floor, Johanne plays a vital leadership role, managing shift staffing, coordinating with the care team, and supporting daily operations. Her work reflects the mission of Elliot Health System, delivering high-quality, family-centered care. “Pediatric nursing focuses on family-centered care as we care for the families in addition to the children,” she says. 

To Johanne, quality care means prioritizing the needs of patients and families, offering compassionate service, and continually improving through feedback and best practices. She emphasizes teamwork and open communication as key to delivering excellent care. “I can say without a doubt that the nurses and team I work with have always delivered quality care, and that is something I am extremely proud of,” she shares. 

Congratulations to all three deserving nurses on their prestigious recognitions.