New London Hospital (NLH) and Newport Health Center (NHC) remain committed to improving the well-being of individuals in our region. This commitment is reflected in the services we provide, tailored to the needs of those that we serve, and strengthened by our membership with the Dartmouth Health system.
Lauren Geddes Wirth, MD, NLH CEO and president, and Jeff Hollinger, chair, NLH Board of Trustees, have gathered the following details for the 2025 calendar year for our communities to review.
Financial Outlook
We are pleased to report another year of positive financial performance with a 10% operating margin for the 2026 Fiscal Year. This positive financial trajectory has enabled NLH to continue reinvesting in its staff and facilities, advancing our vision of being the regional leader in delivering excellence to the staff, patients, and communities we serve.
With continued changes to the healthcare landscape, NLH does anticipate an impact to our operating margin within the next fiscal year. However, as demonstrated in recent years, NLH is more committed than ever to sustaining long-term financial strength, while continuing these important investments that have become deeply ingrained in the culture at NLH and NHC.
2025 included many capital improvements to our facilities and the care we offer. Included in these updates were: new flooring throughout the operating room, post-anesthesia care unit, central sterile reprocessing, and our same-day surgery and radiology patient waiting areas; further air handler upgrades and new equipment in the emergency department, anesthesiology, and for our ambulance service. The continued investment in our clinical equipment and facilities ensures that we can provide a high-quality level of care to exceed industry standards for critical access hospitals (CAHs) and rural health care centers (RHCs).
We are strengthened by our partnership with the Dartmouth Health system, which provides us with financial stability and a continuum of care throughout our region and beyond.
Employee Engagement
Twice a year, NLH and NHC employees participate in a Dartmouth Health employee experience survey. Employees are encouraged to participate to share their perspective on their teams, leadership, well-being, safety, and belonging. This feedback directly impacts how NLH shapes efforts to continually improve the employee experience. In our latest survey, our employee engagement rate placed NLH in the top tier regionally and nationally. We are proud that our employees feel committed to collaboration, with a strong emphasis on delivering excellent care. We are also pleased to share that our staff retention consistently remains lower than the industry average.
Express Care Plus Rebrand
In September 2025, New London Hospital announced the rebrand of Express Care to Express Care Plus. The addition of “Plus” to the Express Care name provides NLH the opportunity to enhance messaging and transparency that Express Care Plus is a type B emergency department.
A type B emergency department is an emergency care facility that is licensed by the state of New Hampshire and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). By definition, a type B emergency department provides care for emergency medical conditions on an urgent basis without an appointment.
Patients can continue to expect advanced services such as state-of-the-art imaging, on-site labs, and seamless collaboration with medical specialists during their visits to Express Care Plus.
Community Support in Action
New London Hospital’s two signature summer events, the 99th Hospital Days and the 18th Annual Benefit, collectively amounted to more than $485,000 in support of patients and families in the communities NLH and NHC serve.
The 99th Hospital Days raised $105,000, thanks to strong community participation and a $50,000 matching gift from the Burkehaven Family Foundation. Funds raised will strengthen NLH’s Patient & Family Community Care Initiatives, which provide food, fresh produce, personal hygiene products and other essentials for families facing hardship.
The 18th Annual Benefit surpassed $380,000 in funding to support NLH’s geriatric care programs, which enhance services for older adults with initiatives in dementia, delirium, fall prevention, and the pursuit of level one geriatric emergency department accreditation, administered by the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Appointment of Garrett J. Bomba, MD, as Chief Medical Officer
Garrett J. Bomba, MD, joined NLH as chief medical officer (CMO) in September 2025. Bomba’s strong background in medical administration, with a focus on enhancing patient care and operational efficiencies, has proven him to be an effective leader in his first months at NLH. As CMO, he leads clinical and quality initiatives that support consistent clinical performance and practice standards across NLH and NHC. Bomba joins NLH from Mass General Brigham (MGB) Medical Group, where he served as chief physician executive and regional medical director of MGB Medical Group North.
Awards and Recognition
NLH President and CEO, Lauren Geddes Wirth, MD, was named to the 2025 list of “Women Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know” list by the Becker’s Hospital Review. The inspiring leaders included in this list are champions of expanding care access, advancing equity and inclusion, and driving meaningful improvements in healthcare delivery.
The emergency medical services (EMS) team at NLH was awarded the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Mission: Lifeline EMS Silver Award for its commitment to providing rapid and research-based care to individuals experiencing the most severe forms of heart attacks and strokes.
Congratulations!
With Thanks
On behalf of all of us at NLH and NHC, thank you for entrusting us with your healthcare. As we enter 2026 with confidence and strength, we look forward to ensuring that every patient continues to receive the high-quality care they deserve, close to home.
Lauren Geddes Wirth, MD Jeff Hollinger
CEO and President, NLH Chair, NLH Board of Trustees
CEO and President, NLH Chair, NLH Board of Trustees