Meeting/Event Information

Open to NESHS members AND non-members!!

From Community to Regional:  Merrimack Valley Health's Defining Moment

Date/time: March 19, 2026, 12-1pm, virtual via Zoom
Speakers: Diana Richardson, President & CEO, and Lori Howley, VP Marketing and Communications at Merrimack Health
Registration Fee:  FREE to members and non-members 

Join us for “From Community to Regional: Merrimack Valley Health's Defining Moment,” a compelling webinar featuring the CEO and VP of Marketing of Merrimack Valley Health. Hear the inside story of how leaders navigated the rapid integration of the former Steward hospital into Lawrence General Hospital—transforming two separate entities into a unified regional health system. In this candid conversation, they’ll walk through the intense operational transition accomplished in a remarkably short window, the strategic decisions that shaped the new organization, and the pivotal moments that defined Merrimack Valley Health’s emergence as a regional leader. Perfect for healthcare executives, strategists, and communicators seeking real-world lessons in change leadership, system integration, and brand transformation. 

Speaker Bios:

Diana Richardson, President and CEO, Merrimack Health

Diana is a highly respected health care executive with 20 years of leadership experience in hospital system operations. She is known for her collaborative approach and thoughtful decision-making, as well as her commitment to strong employee engagement. She has a proven track record of driving growth, improving service quality, and strengthening financial performance.

Diana is a familiar partner to the organization, having partnered with us as senior transition liaison with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, where she played a key role in the state's incident command response to Steward Health Care's bankruptcy.

Prior to that, Diana served as executive vice president of Tufts Medicine and president of Tufts Medical Center in Boston, after previously holding the role of senior vice president and chief operating officer.  Additionally, she was vice president of operations at UF Health – Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL.

Lori Howley, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Merrimack Health

Lori is an accomplished marketing and communications strategist with more than 15 years of executive leadership experience in both academic medicine and community health systems.

She is known for building strong, collaborative teams and developing integrated strategies that elevate brand reputation, strengthen engagement, and support organizational growth. Lori brings deep expertise across the full spectrum of marketing and communications including media and public relations, issues management, digital strategy and marketing, internal and corporate communications, and community engagement.

Throughout her career, she has guided organizations through periods of change and transformation, helping align communication, culture, and brand to drive lasting impact.

Her professional background includes leadership roles at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Lahey Health, Tufts Medicine, Baystate Health, and Merrimack Health.