Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County

11/06/2025

Starting tomorrow, you can bid to raise funds for VNHCH! Thanks to ArtWorks Chocorua Creative Arts Center for their support.

11/03/2025

Thanks to all who turned out for the Caregiver Expo this weekend! We had a full house and it was inspiring to see so many wanting to connect and learn more about caregiving.

Special thanks again to our sponsors: MaineHealth Memorial Hospital, Merrill Lynch, Valley Originals, Mount Washington Valley Adult Day Center, Eastern Slope Inn and White Mountain Hotel!

📸Jamie Gemetti

10/29/2025

Today we thank Caregiver Expo sponsor Merrill Lynch! Their support makes it possible to offer this event free of charge. We still have two registration spots open for this Sat. event so sign up before it's sold out!

10/24/2025

Please consider watching this WMUR news clip if you or a loved one is receiving SNAP benefits. This is the
most recent information we have.

As the government shutdown enters its third week, state officials said several WIC agencies in New Hampshire could close if the federal government does not reopen by the end of the month.

10/24/2025

We are thankful for the organizations sponsoring our 2025 VNHCH Caregiver Expo!

Thanks to Valley Originals for sponsoring the lunch to be catered by 302 Smokehouse!

10/22/2025

We would like to thank the Mountain View Knitting Guild for delivering a flock of Emotional Support Chickens for our clients.

10/21/2025

Listen to our own Ashlee Chaine and Jennifer Robinson with George Cleveland on 93.5 WMWV North Conway, NH Drive Time about our 2025 VNHCH Caregiver Expo!

10/17/2025

Congratulations to Sandy Ruka, recipient of last night's White Mountain Treasure Award, also awarded posthumously to her sister and our long-time board member Sue Ruka.

WHITE MOUNTAINS TREASURE AWARD
Each year the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce awards the honor of White Mountains Treasure to local individuals who have given a lifetime of time and talent to Mt. Washington Valley, who exemplify that success is not measured by what you accomplish in life for yourself, but by what you do for others and your community.

SANDY RUKA
Sandy dedicated four decades to serving our community's healthcare needs across acute care, long-term care, and hospice settings. As Executive Director at Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine since 2008, and Hospice Administrator since 2022, she led the organization through a remarkable transformation.

Under her leadership, VHCH merged with Carroll County Health and Home Care, expanded staff from 20 to 54 employees, and achieved quality scores consistently ranking in the top percentiles statewide - an exceptional achievement for a rural agency.

Sandy supported vital programs, including the annual Caregiver Expo, served as clinical instructor for the LNA program, and contributed to numerous boards, including the Continuum Foundation, Carroll County Coalition for Public Health, and multiple terms as President of the NH Home Care and Hospice Alliance.
With Sandy's retirement in November 2025, the community celebrates her exceptional legacy of nursing leadership and dedication to improving healthcare access in our rural region.

SUE RUKA (POSTHUMOUSLY)
Sue's remarkable nursing career spanned over four decades at Memorial Hospital in North Conway, serving as nursing supervisor, administrator of the Merriman House nursing home, Vice President of Quality, and later in Population Health. Her passion for elder care led her to earn her Master's and Doctorate, with doctoral research focused on reminiscence therapy for individuals with cognitive impairments.

Sue mentored generations of nursing professionals while serving as an instrumental force in numerous organizations, including Carroll County Public Health, Mt. Washington Valley Health Collaborative, Continuum Foundation board, and as Chair of the NH State Commission on Aging.

Her greatest achievement was helping develop and open the Mt. Washington Valley Adult Day Center in Center Conway—a lasting testament to her dedication to elder care that continues serving our community.

Though Sue passed away in May 2025, her profound influence on healthcare and elder care in the Mt. Washington Valley lives on through the countless professionals she mentored and the innovative programs she championed.