June 2, 2025 Amoskeag Health meets people where they are, even when they’re struggling. Emily Carrara is one of our many caring team members helping people through recovery. In this video, Emily shares a story about someone she worked with who had a setback after a year of sobriety. Instead of giving up on them, she kept the door open and helped them take the next steps when they were ready. Watch the video to hear how a small act of support made a difference and why Emily believes more is possible for everyone. Our team works every day to meet people with patience and hope, even when the path is hard. Your donation helps Amoskeag Health keep programs like this going. When you give, you support Emily and the rest of our team guide people toward recovery.

February 27, 2025 Zachary’s journey with addiction began when he was just a teenager. Today, he is four years sober and focused on building a better life. In this video, he shares his story, including the struggles, the turning points, and the support that made all the difference. His experience is a powerful reminder that change is possible, and no one has to go through it alone. Recovery is possible with the right support. Amoskeag Health provides judgment-free care, helping people access the treatment and resources they need to rebuild their lives. Your donation ensures that more people like Zachary get the help they deserve. Make a difference today by donating to Amoskeag Health.

May 14, 2025 At just ten years old, Jasmine had already missed a significant amount of school. Mornings were hard, and staying home had become routine. So, when her dad came to the school’s front door and asked if she could start her day with Mrs. Lauren, everyone paid attention. Lauren Lisembee, a School-Based Behavioral Health Clinician with Amoskeag Health, adjusted her schedule right away. She knew how important it was to meet students in the moments when they’re open to connection. That morning, Jasmine and Mrs. Lauren kept things simple. They painted together. They took a short walk. They talked a little. There was no pressure, just time with a trusted adult who made her feel safe. By the end of their time together, Jasmine was calm and ready. She walked into class on her own. It was a small, quiet moment. But for a student who struggles to even make it through the school’s front door, it was a meaningful one. This is what school-based behavioral health can do. It creates space for students to reconnect, reset, and return to learning at their own pace and in their own way. Sometimes, that makes all the difference. Your support helps moments like this happen. Your gift helps students like Jasmine find calm, connection, and a path back to learning right when they need it most.

November 11, 2024 When Stephen first came to Amoskeag Health, he had already taken an incredible first step, literally. He walked from Concord to Manchester just to make it to his first appointment. That walk was more than just a physical journey. It symbolized the long path he was about to take toward rebuilding his life. Stephen had been incarcerated, and the road ahead wasn’t going to be easy. He was carrying a lifetime of trauma with the odds stacked against him. But, like his determined walk from Concord to Manchester, Stephen kept moving forward one step at a time. Stephen was in a difficult battle to reunite with his son. During this time, Stephen followed every recommendation from the Division for Children, Youth, and Families, determined to make it happen. But as he worked through the process, Stephen came to an important realization: he couldn't focus solely on changing for his son. He needed to change for himself, too. He understood that to truly support his son, he had to care for his own well-being first. Amoskeag Health became a reliable support system throughout Stephen’s journey. With the help of the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) team, Stephen got on a medication plan that improved his mental health. Counseling sessions helped him work through his trauma, and the case management team worked with him to secure disability benefits and find an apartment, giving him the stability he needed to keep pushing forward. But Stephen didn’t stop there. He worked hard to develop the skills that would help him navigate life’s challenges: learning how to manage stress, advocate for himself, and regulate his emotions. Each new skill was another step forward, and with every step, Stephen grew stronger and more determined. In July 2024, Stephen reached a major milestone. DCYF reunited him with his son, a moment that marked not just the end of one journey but the beginning of a new chapter. At that time, Stephen had been sober for 1.5 years outside of prison, proving his strength and commitment. Stephen’s story reminds us that, just like his walk from Concord to Manchester, recovery is a journey. With the right support, like the care from Amoskeag Health, and the determination to keep going, even the hardest paths can lead to a brighter future. Help make more journeys like Stephen’s possible. Your donation to Amoskeag Health supports individuals on their path to recovery, stability, and brighter futures. Give today and be a part of transforming lives.

April 6, 2025 Our CEO, Kris McCracken, was recently interviewed on WMUR’s New Hampshire’s Business with Fred Kocher. She was joined by Robert MacLeod, CEO of Mid-State Health Center. In the segment, Kris talks about how proposed cuts to Medicaid could hurt patients across New Hampshire. She explains that these changes may cause people to delay care or skip important appointments, which can lead to more serious health problems over time. She also discusses the workforce challenges that health centers like Amoskeag Health are facing, including the difficulty of hiring and keeping staff. These issues have a direct impact on the care available to patients. Watch the full segment below to learn more about how health centers are working to keep care accessible.

By: The Healthcare Team at Amoskeag Health January 13, 2025 Winter means cold and flu season and we have seen an increase in colds and the flu in our community. While it’s tough to avoid all germs, there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.   Get Your Flu Shot One of the best ways to stay healthy is by getting a flu shot. The flu vaccine helps protect you from getting sick and can make your symptoms milder if you do catch the flu. At Amoskeag Health, flu shots are available for all patients aged six months and older, regardless of insurance. You can schedule your flu shot through our Patient Portal or by calling us at 603-626-9500. Getting your flu shot not only helps you but also helps prevent the spread of the flu to others, especially those who may be more vulnerable, like young children and older adults.     Tips to Stay Healthy Here are some everyday things you can do to stay healthy this season: Wash Your Hands:  Washing your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is one of the best ways to remove germs. If soap and water aren’t available, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a good alternative. Avoid Touching Your Face:  Germs can easily enter your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth. Try to avoid touching your face, especially when your hands aren’t clean. Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes:  Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. This simple habit helps stop germs from spreading. Stay Home When Sick:  If you’re not feeling well, it’s best to stay home and rest. This helps you recover faster and prevents spreading illness to others.   Amoskeag Health is Here to Help We’re here to support you. If you have any questions about flu shots or home tests, please reach out. You can call us at 603-626-9500 or talk to your provider during your next visit.

Northeast Delta Dental responds generously to the call for emergency funds to ensure continuity of integrated healthcare services. New Hampshire’s community safety net is comprised of 11 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) located throughout the state, serving the healthcare needs of over 102,400 people annually. This year, t he four largest of these health centers faced critical financial shortfalls totaling $3.5M, as of May of 2023. This loss is the result of years of a public health pandemic, Medicaid reimbursement below market rates, and an eroding 340B pharmaceutical  savings program that helps patients purchase drugs at lower costs. To continue services that provide essential primary health care, behavioral health therapy, substance use disorder services, and vital community connections, Northeast Delta Dental responded to the call for emergency stabilization funding with a $500,000 gift. Kris McCracken, President and CEO, Amoskeag Health, Manchester, identified the collective need for support to stabilize the state’s health safety net, “Without access, people will burden emergency departments or go without critical treatment for prevention, management, and care for chronic or emerging conditions. The impact of the Northeast Delta Dental gift resonates across the state to our populations with limited access to health care .” She expanded on the importance of FQHCs, “Community Health Centers employ highly trained providers and care staff who have the expertise to remove barriers to care and address the whole person – their different needs, housing issues, behavioral health, and many other socioeconomic challenges.” Serving residents across southern Coos County and Northern Grafton County, Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, like all FQHCs, is a primary care practice that provides comprehensive and enabling services in a medically underserved region . Ed Shanshala, CEO, said “With this gift, we can retain the exceptional staff who provide a broad range of services in a cost-effective, single location that address physical, mental, and oral healthcare as well as wraparound services.” Beyond providing medical care, community health centers offer behavioral health care, social work, enrollment assistance, and other services. “Determinants like substance misuse, untreated mental illness, and housing and food insecurity all challenge New Hampshire’s ability to attract businesses, educate our young people, and maintain a productive workforce,” said Jim Avrett, CEO at Greater Seacoast Community Health, which operates health centers in Portsmouth and Somersworth. “By helping sustain our capacity to address these issues with our patients, the funding from Northeast Delta Dental ultimately improves the well-being of all of us in the state.” All FQHCs have a large percentage of patients who are uninsured or insured by Medicaid and Medicare. Lamprey Health co-CEO, Greg White, said “This year we saw the first adjustment since 2011 to align reimbursement rates with the increasing cost of providing care. For some NH FQHCs, up to half of our patients are in the Medicaid category, which was covering only 80% of the cost of care. Moving forward, the adjustment will ensure continued services for the long term while this significant gift will help us to sustain services through the accumulated losses.”   President & CEO, Tom Raffio, said that when the call came in to boost up the safety net of community health across the state, Northeast Delta Dental had to respond. “We recognize that partnerships are vital to the success of community health and well-being. Addressing holistic health care (physical, mental, and oral) and strengthening community partnerships are essential to continue improving patient care across the state.”

August 27, 2024 At Amoskeag Health, we’re proud of our ongoing partnership with the Manchester School District. Together, we work hard to support students and their families by providing important services directly within the schools. We’ve made some updates to our school-based programs for the 2024-2025 school year to better serve the needs of the community. While we no longer have a provider in the schools for acute healthcare, our School-Based Behavioral Health Clinicians (BHCs) are still working in many schools. They are available at Bakersville, Beech Street, Gossler Park, McDonough, Weston, Hillside, McLaughlin, Parkside, Central High, Memorial High, and Manchester School of Technology. Our BHCs help students with things like stress, behavior problems, and issues with friends. Any student can use these services, even if they are not patients of Amoskeag Health. We also have Community Health Workers at Bakersville, Beech Street, and Weston Elementary Schools. They help students and families with problems like not having enough food, needing a place to live, or facing legal and money issues. They can also help fill out forms for services like WIC, SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid, and assist with additional barriers. We’ve also started a vision program at Gossler Park and Beech Street schools. Students who need more eye care after school screenings will be referred to our Family Eye Care Center. The Family Eye Care will provide the care they need, whether or not they have a primary care provider with Amoskeag Health patients. Some students may even qualify for free glasses. Amoskeag Health is here to make sure every student has the help they need to do well in school and beyond. We’re excited to support Manchester students and their families this school year.

August 21, 2024 The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has launched a new website that offers and in-depth look at the history of Health Centers. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), we’re proud to be part of this legacy of providing healthcare to those who need it most. Health Centers have been a cornerstone of the American healthcare system since the 1960s, established to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, insurance status, or location, could access essential healthcare services. What began as a small initiative has grown into a nationwide network of over 15,000 health centers, serving more than 30 million people each year. These centers play a fundamental role in ensuring access to quality care, offering a range of services from primary care to mental health support. New Hampshire’s FQHCs, including Amoskeag Health, are key contributors to this mission. We began our journey in 1993 as the Manchester Community Health Center, dedicated to addressing the healthcare needs of Manchester’s residents. Over the years, we’ve grown to become an important resource for our community, particularly for low-income families and New Americans. By offering comprehensive services that go beyond traditional healthcare, we embody the mission of FQHCs to provide care that is accessible, affordable, and community centered. The influence of FQHCs, including those in New Hampshire, goes well beyond just providing healthcare. On a national scale, these centers save billions of dollars by decreasing the need for costly emergency visits and hospital stays. They also boost the economy by creating jobs and sparking economic activity in their communities. In New Hampshire, FQHCs are particularly impactful, serving 1 in 14 residents. They not only enhance health outcomes but also drive economic growth in the state through job creation and significant economic contributions. At Amoskeag Health, we are proud to play a role in this larger mission to strengthen our communities. To learn more about the national history and impact of Health Centers, we encourage you to explore HRSA’s new website. It explores the development of Health Centers and their ongoing contributions to the lives of millions across the country. Visit the HRSA website to learn more.

December 2, 2024 In December 2023, one of Amoskeag Health’s Community Health Workers (CHW) began assisting a family with two young girls, Andrea and Sofía, who needed resources and support to overcome their challenges. Through steady guidance, the CHW has helped improve the family’s situation step by step. Their mother, Carmen, faced several barriers, including navigating the school system in a new country. The CHW stepped in to assist with school registration, free lunch applications, and translating important school documents. Understanding the family’s broader need for food support, the CHW delivered groceries during home visits and provided information about local food pantries. Knowing that lasting change often starts with empowerment, the CHW also connected Carmen with English classes, helping her gain confidence and independence. In 2024, the family shared that Andrea and Sofía did not have beds of their own. The CHW reached out to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that provides beds for children in need, and helped the family complete the application process. Once approved, volunteers from the organization delivered and assembled a brand-new bunk bed, complete with twin-sized sheet sets, comforters, and pillows. The girls’ faces lit up as they saw their new beds set up in their room, excited to finally sleep comfortably in their own space. Beyond these improvements, the CHW also helped the family enroll with Amoskeag Health and connected them with Behavioral Health Consultants, making sure they have access to physical and mental health care. This family’s story highlights the impact Amoskeag Health’s Community Health Workers can have, not just in addressing immediate needs but also in creating a foundation for long-term well-being. By providing care and support, this CHW has given the family tools to build a brighter future and a place to truly call home. Amoskeag Health’s Community Health Workers do more than connect families to care, they provide the support and resources that help build brighter futures. From securing food and housing assistance to ensuring access to healthcare, their work makes a difference

October 1, 2024 Scott Schilling speaking at the 2024 Morning Matters. Having Mental Health Clinicians from Amoskeag Health in the Manchester School District makes a big difference for students and the community. They provide essential support that helps children both inside class and beyond. Clinicians like Scott Schilling work within the schools, building strong relationships not only with the students but also with teachers, gym instructors, lunch staff, and administrators. These connections are key to supporting the children effectively. For instance, when Scott first met a young girl who was anxious and nervous about their meeting, he learned that she liked hula hooping and jump roping. After their initial session in his office, Scott took her to the gym to do these activities together. This simple act helped her relax and opened a channel for trust and communication. From that point on, she looked forward to their meetings, showing how powerful it can be to connect through shared activities and interests. Another example involves a first grader dealing with some serious issues at home. She often came to school disheveled but full of energy, making it hard for her to focus. By engaging her with activities she enjoyed, like playing with Legos sets she brought in, Scott built a relationship that made her feel seen and valued. This not only helped her manage better at school but also taught her kindness and the joy of sharing, leading her to leave some Legos for other kids to enjoy while visiting Scott’s office. Another case involved a girl who faced severe anxiety every morning, to the point where she refused to go to school. Scott, along with her parents, a social worker, the guidance counselor, and her teacher, came up with a plan for her to start each day by meeting with someone she trusted. This significantly reduced her anxiety, allowing her to have a much better end to the school year. These stories show how important early intervention and relationship-building in the schools are for setting students up for future success. Scott and his colleagues help students develop coping skills and people skills that they carry with them as they grow. By addressing issues early, they can prevent more significant problems from arising later in life, planting the seeds for long-term well-being. Amoskeag Health being present in the schools also removes barriers that might prevent students from getting the care they need. Many families face challenges like lack of transportation or conflicting work schedules that make it hard to attend clinical appointments. By bringing services directly to the schools, clinicians like Scott ensure that students receive consistent support without adding stress to their families. Having Mental Health Clinicians in the Manchester School District not only supports individual students but also strengthens the entire school community. By building strong relationships and integrating into the school environment, they create a supportive network that helps children overcome challenges and succeed both inside and outside the classroom. These moments show the deep impact that Amoskeag Health’s behavioral health clinicians make in our schools, helping students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. Your support helps make these critical services possible. Consider making a donation today  to keep this support growing for our community’s children.

By: The Healthcare Team at Amoskeag Health January 21, 2025 Every January, many of us set out with high hopes and New Year’s resolutions. We picture a healthier, more balanced version of ourselves and feel excited about the changes we’re going to make. But as the weeks go by, that initial burst of excitement can start to fade. By February, it’s easy to feel discouraged or overwhelmed. The key to long-term success is to focus on small, manageable changes that build healthy habits over time. Here are some steps to help you stay on track and maintain your motivation throughout the year.   Embrace Healthy Eating Habits Healthy eating is about making better choices consistently. It doesn’t mean you need to change your entire diet overnight. Start by adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your meals. These foods are rich in nutrients and fiber, which help you feel full and satisfied. Meal preparation can be a helpful tool for making healthier eating easier. Plan your meals for the week, and prep ingredients in advance. This not only saves time but also reduces the temptation to reach for less healthy options when you’re busy. Simple changes, like cooking more meals at home and choosing water over sugary drinks, can make a difference for your overall health.   Move More Each Day Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health. Regular exercise improves your mood, boosts energy levels, and helps prevent a range of chronic diseases. It can also help maintain a healthy weight and improve your sleep quality. You don’t need to start with an intense workout routine. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. This can include activities like brisk walking, cycling, or dancing. Breaking it into 30-minute sessions five days a week makes it more manageable. Even small changes, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going for a walk during lunch breaks, can add up over time.   Quit Smoking and Vaping Quitting smoking or vaping is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your health. Both smoking and vaping are linked to serious health problems, including lung disease, heart disease, and various types of cancer. Even though vaping is often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, it still exposes you to harmful chemicals that can damage your lungs. If you’re ready to quit, know that there are resources available to help you succeed. You can start by setting a quit date and informing your friends and family so they can support you. Consider using tools like nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, or support groups to increase your chances of success.   Prioritize Better Sleep Getting enough sleep is important for both your body and mind. Adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night, but many people fall short. Poor sleep can affect your mood, memory, and immune system, and it increases the risk of serious health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. To improve your sleep, start by making a regular sleep schedule. Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body’s internal clock. Avoid screens and caffeine in the evening. Instead, try reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques to help your body wind down.   Practice Mindfulness for Stress Management Mindfulness is a simple but powerful practice that involves focusing your attention on the present moment. This can help reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and build your overall sense of well-being. Mindfulness can be practiced in many ways, including deep breathing exercises, meditation, or even mindful walking. Adding mindfulness to your daily routine doesn’t require a lot of time. Start with just a few minutes each day. You might take a moment in the morning to set your goals for the day or pause in the evening to reflect on what you are grateful for. These small moments of mindfulness can help you stay grounded and better manage everyday stress.   Small Steps Lead to Big Changes Remember, building a healthier lifestyle is a journey. You don’t need to make all these changes at once. Focus on one goal at a time and celebrate your progress along the way. Small but consistent efforts can lead to big improvements in your health and well-being over time. Take it step by step and create habits that support a healthier and happier you!