Leadership

Michael Peterson, FACHE, joined Androscoggin Valley Hospital (AVH) in late 2015 as President & CEO.

A healthcare professional with 25 years of leadership experience in all aspects of hospital and health systems administration, he is responsible for all functions of the hospital and its specialty physician practices.

Prior to AVH, Mike served in numerous leadership positions within Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems (now Northern Light Health).

Mike earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Maine at Orono, and a Master of Science in Business with a focus in Healthcare Administration from Husson College. He has been a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives since 2007.

Mike was the recipient of the New Hampshire Business Review 2018 Leadership Excellence award for the category of Healthcare, and was recognized by the same publication as one of the Top 200 Most Influential Business Leaders in New Hampshire for 2020 and 2022, and was recognized by the American Hospital Association as the “Grassroots Champion” for the State of New Hampshire in 2022.

Michael Towle joined the leadership team of The University of Vermont Health Network Home Health & Hospice in July 2021 as their Vice President of Finance & Strategy. Prior to joining the Home Health & Hospice team Michael worked for The University of Vermont Medical Center for 8 years and held numerous roles including Network Business Director of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine & Radiology over the entire UVM Health Network, Medical Group Director of Pathology, Interim Medical Group Director of Radiology and Interim Medical Group Finance Director of Surgery. Michael holds a BS in Accounting from Plattsburgh State University and an MBA from Clarkson University. He holds the designation of Fellow of American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and Fellow of Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). Michael currently serves as the Treasurer and Board Member of Northern New England Association of Healthcare Executives (NNEAHE) Chapter of ACHE, and as an audit committee member at New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU). Previous to joining the UVM Health Network in 2013, Michael held a variety of finance roles including VP of Finance & Revenue Cycle at Alice Hyde Medical Center and Controller at Tarbell Management Group, LLC. A major accomplishment in Michael’s career is graduating from GE’s Financial Management Leadership Program.

Marie is currently a Sr. Vice President of Northern Light Health and the President of Northern Light CA Dean Hospital in Greenville, Maine, and Northern Light Mayo Hospital in Dover Foxcroft Maine. A Registered Nurse by training, she has served in progressive administrative roles in rural hospitals for 34 years, 20 of them as a rural hospital and critical access hospital CEO & President. Throughout her career Marie has worked with Boards and communities to retain and expand access to rural healthcare clinical services, through recruitment and retention of high-quality providers, enhancing reimbursement, and ensuring efficient operations to sustain care. Collaboration with other partners has been key to this work.

Marie serves her profession and community in many capacities including being the past American College of Healthcare Executives Regent for Maine, Past -Chair of the Maine Hospital Association, Maine Hospital Solutions Board of Directors, Past-President of the Northern New England Association of Healthcare Executives and past AHA RPB member, along with many local clubs and organizations.

Marie is a Mainer, born and raised in the Katahdin Region. When not at work or volunteering Marie spends time with her husband Dave and her two golden retrievers!

Tyson Thornton is the Vice President of Operations at Pen Bay Medical Center, and Waldo County Hospital. A graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Tyson has worked in both clinical and operational leadership roles during his 14 year tenure at Northern Light Health. Tyson is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and a 2013 graduate of the ASHP Pharmacy Leadership Academy. Tyson earned his Masters degree in Business Administration with a focus on healthcare from New England College and Fellowship designation (FACHE) with the American College of Healthcare Executives. Tyson is the current Maine Regent and resides in Bangor with his wife and four children, enjoying all things outdoors in the State of Maine.

Dr. Buck received her DNP in Nursing Practice from Grand Canyon University in Arizona as well as Masters of Science in Nursing. She was born and raised in Maine and enjoys the outdoors, yoga, meditation, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Stephen Merz, FACHE, is Chief Operating Officer, Sheppard Pratt Solutions, a division of Sheppard Pratt, one of the largest behavioral healthcare organizations in the nation. Stephen’s career spans nearly 30 years including roles as Interim President and CEO and Executive Vice President, Operations at Diamond Healthcare, President/CEO of Maine Behavioral Healthcare, and as Vice President & Executive Director of Behavioral Health at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Stephen’s work focuses on integrating behavioral health care into the overall healthcare system, including establishing alternatives to acute care settings, developing novel approaches for chronic conditions such as depression and ensuring behavioral healthcare services are financially strong.

Stephen has served on national and regional boards, including the National Association of Behavioral Healthcare, chair of the Behavioral Healthcare Councils of the Maine and Connecticut Hospital Associations, and as ACHE Regent for Connecticut and Chapter President for the Connecticut Association of Healthcare Executives. Stephen holds a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Dr. Tiffany A. Love, is an award-winning board-certified healthcare executive, former Regent, and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) with over 26 years of healthcare experience. Love is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in the advancement of women and diverse healthcare executives. She is Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for the Healthcare Diversity Council and serves as a national Key Note Speaker and faculty for many prestigious organizations. She serves as coordinator, nurse planner & guest faculty for the Harvard Medical School CME on Career Advancement Leadership Skills for Women in Healthcare and faculty, judge, & pitch coach for the Writing, Publishing, and Social Media for Healthcare Executives. Dr. Love also serves as a consultant providing executive consultation to many national organizations including Academy Health Delivery System Science Fellowship Advisory Committee, the National Institute of Health Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science and the Executive Diversity Career Navigator. With a passion for creating inclusive environments for healthcare researchers, executives, and the healthcare workforce, Dr. Love has truly dedicated her career to promote, protect and advance health equity and an inclusive environment for all.

Glenda E. Dwyer, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE is senior vice president of Clinical Operations for Northern Light Health.

Glenda is responsible for the effective operation of clinical services spanning the system and reports to the president and CEO of Northern Light Health. She acts as chief access officer, oversees assigned service lines and clinical services such as pharmacy, labs, telehealth, medical transport, infection prevention, emergency preparedness, integrated care management, safety and security ensuring efficient services that are designed to meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders and advance system integration performance.

Glenda is passionate about all things relating to patients and quality of care. As a nurse, nothing is more important to her than ensuring the best experience possible for all patients.

Glenda is active in both professional associations and community organizations such as:

American College of Healthcare Professionals, Fellow
Northern New England Association of Healthcare Executives, board member
Advent Christian Retirement Community, board chair

Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, University of Maine
Master of Science and MBA, Husson University

Glenda became vice president of clinical operations for Northern Light Health in 2020.

Courtney has worked to improve access to necessary healthcare and supportive services for various populations.  Courtney joined Dartmouth Health’s Office of Government Relations in 2018.  Courtney advocates for Dartmouth Health’s providers, patients, and communities in state and federal legislative and executive arenas. 

Courtney is an active member in her community.  Currently, she is serving as the founding Chair, working with a diverse and skilled Board, to establish a residential treatment to pregnant and parenting women seeking recovery from substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health challenges with their children in NH – Families Flourish Northeast.  She also serves on the NH Humanities Board of Directors.

Courtney attended Saint Anselm College and obtained a bachelors in classics and in business administration.  Following, Courtney earned her a dual degree in law (JD) and social work (MSW) at UNH School of Law and College of Health and Human Services.  She lives in Bedford with her husband, two young daughters, and energetic collie.