At Alice Peck Day (APD) Memorial Hospital, a member of Dartmouth Health, and APD Lifecare’s Harvest Hill and The Woodlands, care extends far beyond medicine. It is woven into every hallway greeting, every thoughtful design detail in resident spaces and every collaborative decision made across the health system.
When reflecting on the past year, Dr. Michael T. Lynch, President and CEO of APD, sees a vibrant community united by purpose. The connection between APD Memorial Hospital and APD Lifecare’s Harvest Hill and The Woodlands forms a seamless network of compassionate support that puts seniors first every day.
Excellence Rooted in Dedication
Leading an integrated system like APD Memorial Hospital and APD Lifecare brings Lynch appreciation for the people who make this community work. Day in and day out, the attentive care from staff across the hospital, ambulatory clinics, Harvest Hill and The Woodlands directly shapes the comfort and well-being of residents and patients alike.
“I feel honored to lead this fantastic organization that serves such an important role in the larger community. I am surrounded by great teams and people, from the hospital, to the ambulatory clinics, to Lifecare, who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality care, comfort, and support to patients, residents and each other. This makes for a wonderful community of caring and connection.” – Dr. Michael Lynch
For Dr. Lynch, several recent national recognitions reflect the hospital care team’s steady commitment to aging well:
- Geriatric Emergency Department Designation: APD became the first critical access hospital in the country to earn Level 1 (Gold) Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians, an honor recently affirmed with a national rural emergency department award.
- Geriatric Surgery Verification: This national verification recognizes high-quality, specialized surgical care tailored specifically for aging patients.
- Age-Friendly Health Systems Innovation: In close collaboration between hospital leadership and the APD Lifecare team, both the hospital and senior living communities achieved Age-Friendly Health System designations from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).
This standard of care is equally visible at Harvest Hill, which recently achieved its second consecutive year of zero regulatory deficiencies. Dr. Lynch notes that this remarkable achievement is proof of a team paying attention to every detail that makes Harvest Hill a safe, warm and high-quality home for residents to thrive.
“All this is a testament to the leadership of Executive Director Nikki Fortier and the management support of the Sona Senior Living team,” says Dr. Lynch.
A Perspective Built on Community and Family
Dr. Lynch’s connection to APD Lifecare is both professional and deeply personal. Having his mother live at Harvest Hill gives him a firsthand view of senior living through the eyes of a resident’s family member—a personal perspective shared by his predecessor, retired President and CEO Dr. Sue Mooney, whose mother also lived at Harvest Hill.
Walking through the buildings for meetings or during evening visits, Dr. Lynch sees daily life unfold firsthand. He observes staff members helping residents with genuine warmth, respect and enthusiasm at all hours of the day. For Dr. Lynch, these moments show why Harvest Hill and The Woodlands are so special, and why long-standing waitlists reflect the trust families place in this community.
The Power of Integration with Dartmouth Health
In Dr. Lynch’s view, these achievements are made possible by thoughtful integration with Dartmouth Health. Long-standing primary care teams specializing in geriatric medicine offer residents seamless, holistic care right where they live.
Dr. Lynch highlights how this collaborative framework benefits residents:
- Collaborative Emergency Care: Advanced geriatric protocols began through regional grants at Dartmouth Health, allowing APD to lead the way in specialized rural emergency medicine.
- The 4 Ms Framework: Care centers on What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility. Dr. Lynch emphasizes that understanding what matters most to each individual creates a truly personal approach to health and aging.
- System Leadership: Team members across APD share local innovations—such as mobility, delirium and fall-prevention programs led by nursing leaders—to elevate care throughout the entire Dartmouth Health network.
System-leading resident and patient satisfaction scores stand as strong evidence that this integrated approach works.
A Warm Welcome Home
When asked what he would say to families considering Harvest Hill or The Woodlands, Dr. Lynch speaks as both a healthcare executive and a son. He emphasizes that APD and APD Lifecare represent a dedicated team committed to helping every resident live their best life with dignity, kindness and joy.
Through the combined strength of APD and the warmth and dedication found at APD Lifecare, families find a supportive community where loved ones truly belong.
Learn more about life at Harvest Hill Assisted Living and The Woodlands Independent Living by calling us today at 603-308-0475 or by requesting information on our website.