News

Dr. Lori Richer Joins Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice

Lori Richer, MD, has joined Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice (LSRVNA) as its new Hospice and Palliative Care Medical Director. Dr. Richer grew up in Newport and returned to the area after earning her medical degree at the University of Utah. She completed her residency with the NH Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency program and was a primary care physician (PCP) in the New London area from 2006-2018. As a PCP, Dr. Richer was drawn to taking care of patients in the last phase of life in conjunction with their hospice caregivers. That lead her to pursue a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Care at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and transition to that specialty. “I am really excited to be back in the community caring for people in this capacity,” she says.

Hospice focuses on physical, emotional and spiritual comfort, so individuals with a life limiting illness can live their last phase of life to the fullest wherever they call home. Dr. Richer works closely with the entire LSRVNA hospice team—nurses, therapists, social workers, home care aides, spiritual counselors and trained volunteers—in the care of hospice patients and their families.

Palliative care focuses on the conversation and navigation of serious illness. Dr. Richer can assess palliative patients in the home setting, working closely with the patient’s other medical providers to achieve optimal symptom control and other goals of care.

“Along with providing care to our hospice and palliative patients, Dr. Richer is also developing inpatient palliative care services at New London Hospital,” says Jim Culhane, President and CEO at LSRVNA. “She will be a great asset to both organizations and our community as we further develop these important services.”

To learn more about the hospice and palliative care services available through LSRVNA, call 603-526-4077 or visit lakesunapeevna.org.