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June 2026 Healthcare Updates
Overview
This Community of Practice will provide timely updates on several healthcare initiatives related to substance use care and support in New Hampshire.
The session will include an update from the Board of Pharmacy on final approval allowing naloxone to be distributed directly from hospital emergency departments, effective June 1, 2026. This approval removes labeling requirements that had created a long-standing barrier, expanding access to this life-saving overdose reversal medication.
Presenters will also share updates on efforts to implement a comprehensive retooling of the healthcare workforce, along with information about a new grant opportunity for hospitals that was approved by the Governor and Executive Council on June 3, 2026. Together, these updates will highlight important changes and opportunities for hospital systems working to strengthen comprehensive substance use care and support.
Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Understand the new Board of Pharmacy rules allowing naloxone to be distributed directly from hospital emergency departments.
Gain context around the initiatives to implement a comprehensive retooling of the healthcare workforce in New Hampshire.
Become aware of new grant opportunities for hospitals approved by the Governor and Executive Council.
Presenters (s)
Kathy Bizarro-Thunberg, Executive Vice President/Federal Relations, MBA, FACHE, has been with the New Hampshire Hospital Association (NHHA) since 1985. Kathy is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and served as the President of the Northern New England Association of Healthcare Executives, ACHE Regent for the State of New Hampshire, and as a Governor on the ACHE Board of Governors.
At NHHA, Kathy works with NH’s congressional delegation and the American Hospital Association regarding legislation on the federal agenda that affects health care and hospitals. Her other responsibilities include supporting state advocacy efforts, health policy development, hospital financial reporting, data management, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), public health issues, and hospital emergency preparedness planning. Kathy also oversees the internal financial management of NHHA and the Foundation for Healthy Communities, an affiliate of NHHA.
She has an associate of science degree in computer information systems from the New Hampshire Technical Institute (1985), a bachelor of science in health management and policy from the University of New Hampshire (1992) and an M.B.A. in Leadership through Franklin Pierce University (2008).
Maureen Znoj serves as the Senior Director of HealthForce NH at the Foundation for Healthy Communities, where she leads strategic initiatives to address New Hampshire’s healthcare workforce challenges through innovative partnerships and cross-sector collaboration. With over 20 years of experience in workforce development, grant management, and building industry partnerships, she has consistently driven measurable outcomes in workforce advancement.
Before joining the Foundation, she served as Associate Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs at River Valley Community College. Her previous roles include Director of Undergraduate Programs and Assistant Professor at Endicott College, as well as Acting President and Vice President of Operations for Mount Washington College. She continues to contribute to academia as adjunct faculty in M.B.A. and Organizational Leadership programs at Southern New Hampshire University.
Dr. Znoj holds a Doctor of Arts in Leadership from Franklin Pierce University, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership and a Master of Education in Adult Learning & Leadership from Plymouth State University.
Dan Andrus joined the Foundation for Healthy Communities as the director of substance use disorder treatment projects and works with health care systems in New Hampshire in primary care and emergency department settings to enhance their capability to provide effective treatment to patients.
Dan came to the Foundation for Healthy Communities in March 2020 after a 40-year career in the fire and emergency services. He most recently served as the Fire Chief for the City of Concord for 11 years. Prior to that, he served for 29 years with the Salt Lake City (Utah) Fire Department as a firefighter, paramedic, company officer, public information officer, division chief for communications and emergency management, fire marshal, battalion chief, and deputy chief for administration.
Dan has extensive experience in collaborative relations with community organizations and nonprofit agencies in improving health care for persons experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and substance use disorder, as well as in nonprofit governance for a home health care and hospice agency and a community health care center.
Dan holds undergraduate degrees in business management and fire services administration from the University of Utah and Western Oregon State College, respectively, and master’s degrees in public administration and economics from the University of Utah.