PORTSMOUTH (October 4, 2022) – Rockingham County Senior Director of Long-Term Care Services, Jason Smith, was awarded the New Hampshire Association of Counties Nursing Home Administrator of the Year Award at their annual conference. Smith was selected for the award for his commitment to the nursing home residents and innovative initiatives.
“I’m extremely honored to receive this year’s County Nursing Home Administrator of the Year Award,” Smith said. “In accepting this honor I must say that this isn’t just about me. It’s also a reflection of the entire team.”
Merrimack County hosted this year’s conference at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel in Portsmouth, NH from October 3-4. The conference included keynote speakers, educational breakout sessions, and a vendor tradeshow. The conference culminated in Tuesday’s awards ceremony dinner, which celebrated both county government staff and elected officials in New Hampshire. Commissioner Kate Coyle, Senior Director of Human Resources Alison Kivikoski, and Director of Nursing Michele Melanson Schmitt presented Smith with his award.
Since joining the team in 2020, Smith has overseen operations for the Rockingham County Rehabilitation, Nursing Center, and Assisted Living Community. During his tenure, he has increased opportunities for life enrichment programming by purchasing an iN2L device, implemented resident satisfaction surveys, and developed employee resource groups to foster a sense of belonging amongst the staff. Under his leadership, the nursing home was also recently awarded a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
“Jason is one of the hardest working people I know. As the nursing home administrator, Jason has changed the lives of our residents and staff for the better,” Schmitt said. “He’s always looking to the future and finding ways we can improve as a community and better serve those in our care.”
About the New Hampshire Association of Counties
The New Hampshire Association of Counties is a state-wide organization that represents the ten counties in New Hampshire and the public servants who run the county government. The Annual Conference provides county staff and elected officials a platform to strengthen relationships across the Granite State.
About Rockingham County
Rockingham County owns and operates the Rockingham County Rehabilitation, Nursing Center, and Assisted Living Community.
Rockingham County is one of 10 counties in New Hampshire. Located in the southeastern part of the state, Rockingham County includes all 18 miles of New Hampshire’s Atlantic coastline.
