From left, Shauna Mahan, RN, Emily Seebaugh, RN, Trevor Eide, MD, Lynn Spang, RN, Trish Solak, RN, LuAnn Jones, RN, Linda Neyman, RN, Julie Ogilvie, Noah Zahner, Taraneh Azar, MD, Brian Carroll, RRT,
Portsmouth Regional Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare, recently honored 11 individuals for their commitment to their patients, communities and colleagues during the annual HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction.
The three categories included in the HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction were the Frist Humanitarian Award, the HCA Healthcare Innovators Award and the HCA Healthcare Excellence in Nursing Award. The awards celebrate the positive impact that Portsmouth Regional Hospital colleagues have on patients, the community and each other. The Frist Humanitarian Award recognizes the highest achievements in serving others; the Innovators Award recognizes creative new ideas for enhancing quality of care and efficiency; and the Excellence in Nursing Award recognizes the highest levels of performance in the field of nursing.
“Each of these award winners is not only selected by hospital leadership, but nominated by other employees,” said Michelle Dodd, RN, chief nursing officer at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. “To have such a wide range of nominees for each category demonstrates the commitment of our colleagues to their patients and communities, and the respect they have earned from their peers.”
The award winners are, with information from their nominations:
Awards of Distinction
Frist Humanitarian Award – Physician
Taraneh Azar, MD, ENT surgeon
Dr. Azar demonstrated a dedication to people and community at an early age. Inspired by her parents who were both in the medical field, she committed her life to medicine, driven by a deep passion to improve the health and well-being of those she serves. Early on, she worked alongside Mother Teresa at the Home for Death and Dying in India, where she and other volunteers helped identify and care for critically ill individuals in her community, and bringing them back to the home to provide them with food, medical care and comfort. That experience helped shape her, and her commitment to public health has remained strong as she has worked at a shelter for domestic violence survivors and served on the Board of New Hampshire’s largest organization supporting these individuals. A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Dr. Azar entered the field of otolaryngology (ear nose and throat) when just 5% in the field were women. Now, women represent nearly 50% of all ENT specialists. Read more about Dr. Azar in this Portsmouth Regional Hospital Employee Spotlight.
Frist Humanitarian Award – Employee
Brian Carroll, Registered Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapy
Brian has been recognized by his peers as a staunch advocate for patients, both clinically and operationally. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian was among the first to volunteer for training on a life-saving medical technology that provides temporary support for the heart and lungs when they are unable to function adequately called ECMO. He became a vital part of the hospital’s ECMO team, providing exceptional care for the most critically ill patients. From a new graduate to a lead respiratory therapist, adult critical care specialist, arterial blood gas lab coordinator, and now an educator, Brian has demonstrated remarkable growth and leadership. Outside of work, Brian is an avid marathon runner, with a goal of completing a marathon in every state. He is currently raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by running the Berlin (Germany) Marathon as a member of the Breath Team.
Frist Humanitarian Award – Volunteer
Julie Ogilvie
Volunteer Services
Julie has dedicated more than 600 hours as a patient visitor at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, faithfully volunteering twice a week. Her calm presence, reliability and unwavering commitment to our community have made a significant impact. In addition to her primary role, she shares her musical talents by playing the flute throughout the hospital, spreading joy to both patients and staff. She also has been instrumental in training new patient volunteers and high school students, teaching them how to engage meaningfully with patients and visitors. Julie was one of the first to volunteer for the No One Dies Alone (NODA) program, where she provided a compassionate presence during a patient’s final moments, offering comfort to the family when they could not be by their loved one’s side.
Additional Awards of Distinction:
Innovators Award
LuAnn Jones, RN, Diagnostic Testing Coordinator
Cardiovascular Services
The Innovators Award recognizes individuals who advance our mission through innovation and inspire a culture of creativity and progress. A long-standing member of the code blue committee, LuAnn identified a key issue: Staff were not debriefing code blues, called when an adult patient experiences a cardiac or respiratory arrest, and valuable data was being lost. Recognizing this gap, she developed the "Hot Debrief" tool — a simple QR code that staff could scan on their phones to quickly capture debrief information. This tool has been a tremendous success, improving real-time data collection, enhancing patient safety, and fostering improved team dynamics.
Her initiative ensures that after each critical event, the care team can promptly evaluate what went well, identify areas for improvement, and take immediate action to enhance patient outcomes.
Nursing Excellence – Compassionate Care
Shauna Mahan, RN
Medical Unit
Shauna’s colleagues say she is the epitome of compassionate care. Her colleagues admire her not only for her clinical expertise but also for her leadership. Frequently serving as charge nurse, she supports her team while providing excellent care to her patients. She is a trusted mentor to nurse residents and externs, guiding them both clinically and as a model of compassionate care. She has something that is “just a little more” in terms of her compassion, kindness, positivity, and the ability to make everyone feel at ease.
Nursing Excellence – Professional Mentoring
Linda Neyman, RN
Intensive Care Unit
A valued member of the ICU team, Linda exemplifies what it means to be a mentor and leader. With a wealth of critical care knowledge, she has a remarkable ability to teach, support and guide both novice and experienced nurses. Her dedication to empowering others goes beyond simply sharing knowledge — it strengthens the entire nursing profession. Whether answering questions, offering hands-on training or leading by example, she consistently uplifts those around her.
Rose of the Year
Noah Zahner, Patient Care Technician
Progressive Care Neuro Trauma Unit
The Rose Award honors a non-nurse colleague who goes above and beyond to provide exceptional service. Noah is a true asset to the progressive care neuro trauma team — he is hardworking, compassionate and always ready to lend a hand. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting colleagues or providing comfort to patients, he consistently goes the extra mile. Starting as a safety observer, Noah earned his LNA (Licensed Nursing Assistant) license through Portsmouth Regional Hospital’s trainee program and has since become an invaluable member of the team. Known for his kindness, attentiveness and remarkable ability to connect with patients and families, he is frequently recognized by both staff and leadership.
Daisy of the Year
Lynn Spang, RN, Clinical Support Coordinator
Surgical Services
For 20 years, Lynn has been a cornerstone of excellence, ensuring patients receive the highest quality care guided by both professional standards and deep compassion. She is committed not only to the well-being of her patients but also to the growth and success of her colleagues. Nursing is more than a profession — it’s a calling that requires skill, dedication and heart. Every day, Lynn creates a welcoming and supportive environment for new staff, ensuring they feel confident and prepared in their roles. Her unwavering dedication to both patients and colleagues reflects the very best of nursing.
Preceptor of the Year
Patricia (Trish) Solak, RN, Heart Valve Coordinator
Cardiovascular Services
From day one in the Valve Clinic, Trish creates a welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring her mentees feel valued and respected. She goes above and beyond, not only by providing the necessary tools for success, but by fully integrating those she mentors into the team. Her leadership is defined by a perfect balance of challenge and support, pushing others to grow while breaking down complex concepts with clarity and patience. Her dedication to teaching extends beyond her colleagues to the patients and families she serves, making a lasting impact on those around her.
Physician of the Year
Trevor Eide, MD, Medical Director
Emergency Medicine
Dr. Eide serves as the chief and medical director of the emergency department at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and holds a key role as the New Hampshire Regional Medical Director for Emergency Medicine at HCA Healthcare. His leadership in the emergency department has been instrumental in creating a positive and collaborative environment. He is an invaluable mentor who generously shares his knowledge with colleagues, offering guidance and support whenever needed. His ability to teach, lead and collaborate has made a lasting impact on the entire team.
Colleague of the Year
Emily Seebaugh, RN
Employee Health
Emily is a highly valued member of the Portsmouth Regional Hospital family. She has a natural talent for connecting with people and ensuring they feel seen, heard, and known. She brings these traits as well as a high level of expertise to Portsmouth Regional Hospital. She is passionate about workplace violence, and consistently goes above and beyond to create a culture of safety, ensuring that her colleagues feel supported. She is always among the first to show up, to volunteer to help with a project, to learn something new, or to help with a community event.
