Chief Nursing Officer Susan Santana Honored with NH Business Review Business Excellence Award

By: Gillian McCarron, Enterprise Communications Specialist

Susan Santana, Southern New Hampshire Health Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, has been named a 2026 NH Business Review Business Excellence Award recipient in the Health Care category. 

The annual awards recognize New Hampshire business professionals for their leadership, accomplishments and contributions to their organizations and communities. 

“Sue is an exceptional leader whose impact can be felt throughout our organization,” said Colin McHugh, President and CEO of Southern New Hampshire Health. “Her commitment to supporting our nurses, strengthening our culture and advancing exceptional patient care makes this recognition incredibly well deserved.” 

Under Sue’s leadership, Southern New Hampshire Medical Center achieved its fifth consecutive Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, making it the only hospital in New Hampshire to achieve this distinction five times. Maintaining Magnet designation signifies that Southern New Hampshire Medical Center is dedicated to nursing excellence through patient care and career development. 

Sue has also championed shared governance, evidence-based practice, leadership development and mentorship programs that have strengthened nurse engagement and helped reduce first-year nurse turnover. 

This recognition reflects Sue’s longstanding commitment to nursing excellence and her continued impact on patients, colleagues, and the greater Southern New Hampshire community.