Southern New Hampshire Medical Center’s Peer Recovery Program Receives 2025 Beacon of Hope Award 

Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, a nonprofit organization committed to improving community health and well-being, has been named a 2025 Beacon of Hope Awardee for our exceptional Peer Recovery Program by the Mosaic Group. This recognition celebrates emergency department teams that exemplify excellence and compassion in responding to substance use through the Reverse the Cycle model. 

A Proven Model for Substance Use Response 

Reverse the Cycle, launched in 2014, has been adopted by over 80 hospitals nationwide. The model integrates medication-assisted treatment, streamlined overdose response, and peer-led interventions to guide patients toward recovery. This year’s honorees include Southern NH Medical Center, Logan Regional Medical Center (WV), Mercy Medical Center (MD), University of Maryland Medical Center Downtown Campus (MD), and WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital (WV). 

“Reverse the Cycle works because of the people behind it — the peer recovery coaches, clinicians, and hospital staff who refuse to give up on patients,” said Marla Oros, President of Mosaic Group. “Our awardees show that through compassion and teamwork, hospital teams can change the trajectory of countless lives.” 

Embedding Recovery into Hospital Workflow 

The Reverse the Cycle program has strengthened our hospital’s ability to identify and engage patients with substance use needs. These results demonstrate the program’s success in embedding consistent screening, rapid peer engagement, and effective linkage to treatment within our hospital workflow, contributing to improved patient support and recovery outcomes. 

Peer Coaches: The Heart of the Program 

At Southern NH Medical Center, peer recovery coaches are central to this effort. Available seven days a week, they collaborate with emergency department staff and community partners to support patients from initial screening through recovery. Their lived experience allows them to build rapid trust, provide stigma-free support, and facilitate warm handoffs to treatment, often accompanying patients to their first appointments. 

Mike Witmer, one of our dedicated peer recovery coaches, shared what drives his work: 

“I became a peer recovery coach because I wanted to provide a service to others who struggle with the disease of addiction that was not available to me. I love it because it gives me the opportunity to show others who suffer from this disease that we do recover! And that with dedication and a lot of hard work, it is truly never too late to turn your life around.” 

Turning Emergency Encounters into Recovery Journeys 

In the Emergency Department, peer coaches transform brief encounters into meaningful first steps toward sustained recovery. They educate patients on treatment and harm-reduction options, maintain follow-up contact for up to 90 days post-discharge, and advocate for patients’ needs within the healthcare system. This personalized, relationship-based approach reduces relapse risk and encourages long-term engagement. 

A Testament to Our Mission 

This national recognition reflects the excellence, compassion, and collaboration that define Southern New Hampshire Health System. The Beacon of Hope Award is a testament to our mission in action, demonstrating how empathy, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to every patient create lasting change and strengthen the fabric of our community. 
 
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