Maria Ryan, PhD, APRN
Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Ryan has over 28 years of healthcare experience, eight of those years in Executive Leadership. Dr. Ryan possesses the understanding of the for-profit and not-for-profit areas of healthcare, as well as the tertiary care and the critical access environment. She was born and raised in New Hampshire and began her career in Nursing by obtaining her Nursing Degree from the New Hampshire Technical Institute, her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of New Hampshire, Master’s Degree in Nursing and her Advance Practice Nursing degrees from Rivier College and she is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Ryan attained her Doctorate Degree in Hospital Administration from Warren University. Through her years practicing in emergency medicine she has gained a clinical hands-on understanding of the healthcare system and you can often find her giving lectures on an important subject in healthcare today, “Lateral Violence Amongst Nurses”. Dr. Ryan specializes in “systems thinking” and process efficiencies and is a healthcare system delivery visionary.

Dr. Ryan joined the Cottage team in November 2006 as the Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operations Officer and became CEO in February of 2010. Her skill at developing high-level, high-functioning teams is proven and is in practice at Cottage Hospital. As the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ryan relishes the opportunity to create an environment that is nurturing and holistic for the community and the staff by sharing her vision with the community and openly inviting their input. She is currently a member of the Woodsville, NH/Wells River, VT Rotary, the Good ‘Ole Boys Club, American Organization of Nurse Executives, American Organization of Healthcare Executives, International Nurses Association, New Hampshire Hospital Association and the New England Alliance for Health.

“My goal is to create a synergy between the staff and the community we serve to provide an optimal healthcare experience and a rewarding working environment.”

Lori Hughes, RN, MSN
Chief Nursing Office/Vice President of Operations and Patient Care Services

Lori joined the Cottage Hospital team in March 2010. Although she is new to the North Country she has resided in NH for nearly 15 years. Lori brings many years of experience from large world renowned tertiary hospitals to critical access. She has over 16 years of management experience. Her education is two Bachelor degrees in health management and nursing and 2 master degrees in nursing and management. She has published in several peer reviewed journals and has a passion for evidence based practice and patient care.

Steven Plant
Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Plant is a North Country native, born and raised in Littleton, NH. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH and has been with Cottage Hospital for over 20 years.

In addition to overseeing Cottage Hospital’s fiscal services, Steve is also responsible for other hospital departments including Dietary, Environmental Services, and Maintenance. Steve's involvement in hospital departments helps him to make financial decisions based on more than just numbers.

"I enjoy living and working in the North Country because of the community spirit that is found in all the towns in the area. "

Gerry Graham
Human Resources Director

Mr. Graham joined the staff in September 2008 as the Human Resources Leader.  He graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospital Administration.  Prior to joining Cottage Hospital, Gerry worked at a 100-bed hospital in the seacoast of New Hampshire for 13 years.

He oversees all aspects of our Human Resources Department for over 250 employees making Cottage Hospital one of the biggest employers in Woodsville, NH!

“I look forward to continuing to build upon the efforts that have been made in making Cottage Hospital an employer of choice.  The staff at Cottage Hospital is dedicated to providing quality patient care, as well as helping their co-workers in times of need.  This is just one of things that makes Cottage Hospital a special place to work.”