Board of Directors

Karen Gomes, Interim President and CEO

Karen Gomes, RN, MS, COS-C, joined HCS with over 20 years of leadership across the continuum of care, including geriatric, home health, hospice and population health management. She excels at turning big picture issues and strategic goals into specific action plans created with organizational situations, structure and challenges in mind. Prior to joining HCS, Karen served as President & CEO of Tufts medicine Care at Home program, and as Owner & Founder of RN Answers, LLC, a consulting business for Home Health and Hospice Companies across New England & New York; including HCS. Under Karen’s leadership, HCS continues to grow and strengthen its programs – expanding access, enhancing patient experience, and addressing evolving healthcare and community service needs across southwestern New Hampshire.

Kathryn Willbarger, Treasurer

Kathryn Willbarger is the Chief Operating Officer at Cheshire Medical Center, where she oversees hospital and clinic operations, facilitating Dartmouth Health integration strategies. In addition to her role, she is the executive sponsor for Organizational Excellence, focused on exceptional employee engagement and patient experience. Ms. Willbarger has worked at Cheshire Medical Center for more than 25 years. Prior to becoming Chief Operating Officer, she was the Senior Vice President of Finance, where she helped lead a $13M financial turnaround in 2018. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Assumption College and a Masters in Healthcare Delivery Science from Dartmouth College. Ms. Willbarger began her journey at Cheshire Medical Center as a volunteer in the Emergency Room while attending high school. Keene is Kathryn’s hometown, and she has a passion for the role that Cheshire Medical Center plays in creating a healthy and thriving community.

Ann Heffernon, Secretary

As a community activist, Ann Heffernon has served on the boards of The Community Kitchen, where she is a longtime volunteer, Monadnock Family Services, and the Elm City Rotary. She is one of the volunteer co-coordinators for the DeMar Marathon, on the committee that manages Men Who Cook, and has served on the Cheshire County Democrats executive committee in various capacities since 2006, newly joining the Blue Hampshire task force. A graduate of the University of Vermont, Ann is a manufacturer’s representative. She is married to Jay Ward, and has two stepsons, Bill and Brad.

Paul Berch, Director

Paul Berch, a resident of Westmoreland, NH is a graduate of The University of Chicago Law School and served thirty-four years as the Managing Attorney of the Windham County Public Defender Office. Subsequently, he was elected to the NH House of Representatives, serving five terms. Paul currently serves as Vice Chair of the Connecticut River Flood Control Commission as well as Moderator for the Westmoreland School District. He is former President of the Windham County Bar Association, the VT Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community.

Erin Dallas-Patch, Director

Erin Dallas-Patch currently serves as the Director of People Operations at Cedarcrest and the President of the Greater Monadnock SHRM. Her expertise in networking, project planning, and employee success enables her to build connections and drive positive employee experiences. One of Erin’s key strengths is a total commitment to the well-being and growth of employees. By focusing on personal and professional development, Erin’s teams consistently deliver exceptional results. Erin holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Keene State College and a master’s degree in organizational leadership with a graduate certificate in Human Resource Management from Southern NH University. She is a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) with the Society for Human Resource Management. Erin, a Keene resident, enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. She is a big fan of local and professional sports – and was a decorated high school and college student athlete in field hockey.

Mary Davis, Director

Mary Davis, RN worked at Home Healthcare Hospice and Community Services for twenty-four years before retiring in 2017. Mary worked as a per diem nurse for several years before she became a member of the clinical management team and at the time of her retirement, Mary was the Clinical Director of the VNA. In this capacity, Mary worked cooperatively with the clinical team and managers to achieve a Five Star Quality Rating from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Mary is an active member of several professional and community organizations. Mary and her husband Mike reside in Keene. Mary has a degree in Healthcare Administration and is eager to bring her experience in homecare to the board at HCS.

Julie Green, Director

Julie Green graduated from John Marshall Law School and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1987. She recently retired after approximately forty-five years of human resources experience. She proudly spent more than thirty-five years devoted to various nonprofit healthcare leadership positions. Aside from HCS, other current volunteer positions are in support of Monadnock Family Services and the St. James Episcopal Church. Julie and her husband, Doug, have resided in Keene for over thirty years and are proud to be a part of very vibrant and caring community.

Eric Horne, Director

Eric Horne is currently a Partner with Horne & Benik Networks, LLC. Horne & Benik Networks, formed in 2004, provides local businesses with computer and network support. Eric received his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from New Hampshire College (SNHU) in 1985. When not at work Eric enjoys hanging out with family and friends, restoring an old house, and goofing off.

Virginia Jordan, Director

Virginia Jordan is a marketing executive with two decades of experience managing some of the country’s most well-known consumer brands. With a BA from Dartmouth College and a finance MBA from the University of Rochester, she has spent her career focused on how to profitably meet (and exceed) the needs of an organization’s various constituent groups. Virginia lives on a bustling horse farm in Westmoreland with her husband and daughter.

Angie LeFebvre, RN, BSN, MSN, Director

Angie LeFebvre is the Senior Director of Quality and Patient Safety at Cheshire Medical Center located in Keene, New Hampshire. Her oversight includes quality improvement, patient safety, risk management, accreditation and survey readiness, regulatory reporting, project management, infection prevention, volunteer services, ADA compliance/interpreter services, patient relations, and chaplaincy.

Throughout her career, Angie has worked in several positions including staff nurse, charge RN, ED Clinical Nurse Manager, Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance Leader, and Senior Director of Quality and Patient Safety. She has a Master’s in Quality and Patient Safety and is an Institute for Healthcare Improvement Fellow and uses her experience and education to lead through process improvement, management of risks, and improving patient outcomes. One of her passions is the pursuance of the tenants of High Reliability and Just Culture as the foundation to safety for staff and patients alike.

Allen Mendelson, Director

Allen Mendelson has lived and worked in the Monadnock region for many years and earned his M.Ed. from Antioch University New England in Keene. He spent much of his professional career as a financial officer with Edward Jones and has been a highly active volunteer leader within the Keene nonprofit community.

Allen is no stranger to HCS, having previously served as President of the Board of Directors through 2022 and returning to the Board in 2026. his extensive leadership experience includes serving as past president of the Monadnock United Way and the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the boards of Cedarcrest Center for Children with Disabilities and is a longtime member of the Keene City Rotary Club.

William Pearson, Esq., Director

William “Will” Pearson has lived in New Hampshire for the majority of his life, moving to Keene from Bedford, NH in 2010 to complete a BA in Political Science. After graduating from Keene State College in 2014, Will ran for New Hampshire State Representative, eventually winning his election and serving in New Hampshire General Court for three terms on the Election Law Committee. Will was selected as one of the House Assistant Majority Leaders for his 2018 State House term. While in the State House, Will completed a Juris Doctorate with the University of New Hampshire School of Law, graduating in 2019. Will currently practices as an employment attorney in Keene where he spends his free time playing music and enjoying the outdoors.

Andrew Tremblay, M.D., Director

Andy is a native to the Keene area with family roots going quite deep.  He currently lives in Keene with his wife Suzanne, and his three daughters, Madison, Samantha, and Jacqueline.  Andy is a family physician serving the community at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Health for over 21 years and has been the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine for the last 12 years.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology at the College of the Holy Cross and his Doctor of Medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine.  He went on to complete his formal residency training at The Toledo Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program in Toledo, OH and after practicing briefly in Ohio, both he and his wife joined the medical staff at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Health.  He is a former board member for over 6 years at MoCo in Keene with his most recent term serving as President.  He is a current board member of Cheshire Medical Center as well.  When not working, Andy enjoys spending time with his friends and family, working on the house and yard, traveling, playing basketball (or any other sport!) and having fun in general!