Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice Establishes Annual Susan M. Ruka Award for Excellence in Aging and Public Health

January 14, 2026

[CONWAY, N.H.] — Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice of Carroll County & Western Maine has established the Susan M. Ruka Award for Excellence in Aging and Public Health, an annual recognition honoring an individual who demonstrates outstanding dedication, innovation, and leadership in improving the lives of older adults and promoting public health.

The award honors the life and legacy of Dr. Susan Marie Ruka and will recognize a healthcare professional, community leader, or volunteer whose work advances aging-related services and public health. The award will be administered by Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice of Carroll County & Western Maine (VNHCH).

Sue’s career in nursing spanned over four decades at Memorial Hospital in North Conway, NH. She served in many capacities, from nursing supervisor to administrator of the Merriman House nursing home and later in Population Health. Her passion for elder care and advocacy for aging adults led her to pursue advanced education, earning her Master’s and Doctorate from Boston College in 2003. Her doctoral thesis focused on the power of reminiscence therapy for individuals with cognitive impairments, reflecting her deep commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults. She was also a long-time board member of VNHCH.

Throughout her career, Sue mentored generations of nursing and clinical professionals, leaving an indelible mark on the healthcare community. This award is meant to honor her legacy and encourage her same commitment to elder care.

Nominees for the Susan M. Ruka Award for Excellence in Aging and Public Health should reflect Sue’s legacy through meaningful, measurable impact on elder care and the aging population in New Hampshire and Maine. Ideal candidates demonstrate a sustained commitment to senior services, along with mentorship or leadership that inspires colleagues, strengthens teams, and elevates care across their communities. The award also recognizes individuals whose community engagement, service, or innovative approaches to aging and public health mirror Sue’s values and long-standing dedication to older adults.

The award is open to individuals who are based in, or primarily serve, New Hampshire or western Maine. To ensure the honor reflects peer and community recognition, nominees must be put forward by another person; self-nominations are not accepted. 

Nominations for the 2026 award cycle will open on February 1, 2026, and must be submitted by March 15, 2026. The recipient will be announced on April 15, 2026, and formally honored in May 2026 — Sue’s birthday month —through an award presentation celebrating her enduring impact.

How to nominate

A complete nomination should include:

Nominations will be accepted online at www.VNHCH.org/RukaAward through March 15, 2026.

Selection committee

Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee including past and present VNHCH employees, board members and the Executive Director of New Hampshire State Commission on Aging. 

 About Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine

Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine provides compassionate, high-quality home health, hospice, and palliative care to the Mount Washington Valley and surrounding communities. The agency’s mission is to support patients and families in living their best lives at home through skilled nursing, therapy, and end-of-life care services.

For more information about hospice or to inquire about services, please contact Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice at 603-356-7006 or www.vnhch.org.