Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice Announces Inaugural Susan M. Ruka Award Winner
April 27, 2026
)
Lindsay Knapp of the Fryeburg Recreation Department Honored for Transforming Older Adult Programming in Western Maine
NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine (VNHCH) is proud to announce Lindsay Knapp, Adult Program Coordinator at the Fryeburg Recreation Department, as the inaugural recipient of the Susan M. Ruka Award for Excellence in Aging and Public Health.
The award honors the legacy of Dr. Susan Marie Ruka, a nurse, advocate, and longtime VNHCH board member whose four-decade career at Memorial Hospital in North Conway was defined by her deep commitment to older adults and public health. Established by VNHCH in early 2026, the award recognizes a healthcare professional, community leader, or volunteer whose work meaningfully advances aging-related services and public health in New Hampshire and Maine.
Lindsay Knapp was selected from a field of nominees for her work building the Adult Program at the Fryeburg Recreation Department from the ground up. Beginning in 2024, she developed a dynamic schedule of activities, outings, and social events specifically designed for older adults in the Fryeburg area — a region of Western Maine where organized programming for seniors had previously been limited and fragmented across clubs, congregations, and membership organizations.
Among her most impactful initiatives are regular community dinners for older adults — gatherings that go well beyond a shared meal to provide consistent social connection and a sense of belonging in a rural community where isolation and transportation barriers can be significant challenges. The dinners are supported by local sponsors and volunteers and are consistently well attended.
After learning about the award, Knapp stated, “I am truly honored to receive the Susan Ruka Award for Excellence in Aging & Public Health. I love what I do, and the friendships I’ve built along with the connections we’ve created mean everything to me. Our small team of three at Fryeburg Rec, including Rick and Mackenzie, is committed to making a difference by helping older adults stay connected, supported, and engaged in their community. This work is about giving back to a generation that has given so much to all of us, and I am grateful to be part of it. I remain committed to continuing to build a healthier, more connected community, and I sincerely thank the Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine for this incredible honor.”
Knapp’s programming addresses social determinants of health directly, reducing isolation, strengthening peer relationships, and building the kind of community support systems that contribute to long-term wellbeing. Her nomination was submitted by Ashlee Chaine of Fryeburg, who praised Knapp’s empathy, energy, and commitment to ensuring older adults in her community have access to dignity, opportunity, and connection.
Knapp will be presented the award at a Fryeburg Community Dinner on May 11, 2026, at 5:30pm at the Fryeburg Community Center.
About the Susan M. Ruka Award
The Susan M. Ruka Award for Excellence in Aging and Public Health was established by VNHCH to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Susan Marie Ruka, who passed away in January 2025. The award is presented annually and recognizes individuals whose work reflects Dr. Ruka’s values of compassion, innovation, and sustained commitment to older adults.
About Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine
VNHCH is the only local nonprofit hospice and home care agency serving Carroll County, New Hampshire and Western Maine. A 501(c)(3) organization and Medicare Certified Home Health Agency and Hospice, VNHCH provides skilled nursing, therapy, hospice, and palliative care services to patients and families throughout the Mount Washington Valley and surrounding communities. For more information, visit vnhch.org or call 603-356-7006.