HealthFirst Family Care Center receives Healthcare Business of the Year Award

LACONIA — HealthFirst Family Care Center, which has locations in Laconia, Franklin, and Canaan was selected as the winner of the NH Business Magazine Business of the Year award in the Health Care category.

Co-publisher and Executive Editor of Business NH Magazine, Matt Mowry, notified HealthFirst leadership via email in April which stated, “on behalf of Business NH Magazine and the NH Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, congratulations on HealthFirst Family Care Center being named Business of the Year in the Health Care category! Our judges were impressed by HealthFirst’s accomplishments in its industry and by the way it gives back to the community. Thank you for all that HealthFirst contributes to our state.”

The winners were to keep the announcement confidential until the magazine made its official announcement in its May 2 issue of Business NH Magazine in which it reads, “HealthFirst Family Care Center, a private nonprofit primary care provider in Laconia that has been providing affordable healthcare to rural communities in the Lakes Region since 1996, has been named the winner in the Health Care category.”

A Panel of Excellence comprised of executives from last year’s winning companies selected the 2024 winners based on the applicant’s financial health, industry leadership, letters of recommendation from chamber executives and business leaders, and community involvement.

As a community health center whose mission is to provide quality healthcare to all regardless of ability to pay, HealthFirst has an unwavering commitment to provide exceptional healthcare services for the whole person. With locations across the Lakes Region and Mascoma Valley, it ensures access to high-quality primary care, behavioral health, medication assisted treatment, dental services, nutrition, chronic care management, community resource specialists, and more for individuals and families. As a designated federally qualified health center, care is made available on a sliding fee scale, ensuring access to everyone who needs it, regardless of their ability to pay.

HealthFirst CEO Russ Keene said, “At HealthFirst, our vision is rooted in a commitment to excellence, compassion, and community well-being. We recognize the increasing demand for primary care in our region, compounded by the unfortunate reality that numerous practices are unable to accommodate new patients. Our strategic response involves not only growth, but also a proactive approach to address healthcare challenges head-on. The cornerstone of our strategic vision lies in the expansion and enhancement of our facilities. We have meticulously tailored our growth to respond to the rising volume in primary care, behavioral health, and medication-assisted treatment. By adding primary care providers and support staff, we ensure that our services not only meet but exceed the expectations of our community.”

Upon sharing the news with his staff Keene said, “This prestigious recognition is a testament to the outstanding efforts and dedication of each and every one of you. This achievement is not just about a title or an accolade; it's a reflection of the incredible impact we have had on our patients' lives. Your commitment to excellence, compassion, and innovation has made a real difference in the communities we serve. From the clinical staff to the administrative teams, every single role within HealthFirst has contributed to this remarkable success. It is because of you that HealthFirst was a standout in receiving the Healthcare Business of the Year Award – thank you.”

To learn more about HealthFirst Family Care Center, visit healthfirstfamily.org.