Gala Celebrates Exeter Hospital Legacy Award Honoree, Milestone Gift to Center for Cardiac Care
Exeter, NH — Exeter Hospital recently hosted a Celebration of Excellence Gala at the AC Hotel Downtown Portsmouth, bringing together the community to celebrate its mission and continued growth. During the event, Exeter Hospital announced that it has raised over $1.275 million this year to support the expansion of cardiac services at the hospital.
More than 200 community members, hospital leaders, dedicated clinicians, and generous supporters gathered for the Celebration of Excellence Gala. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Exeter Hospital Legacy Award to William “Bill” Schleyer in recognition of his longstanding leadership, service, and philanthropic impact on the organization and the Seacoast community.
“The Exeter Hospital Legacy Award recognizes the profound difference Bill has made in the lives of our patients, staff, and the broader community,” said Rob Eberle, chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are proud to honor his leadership and lasting commitment to Exeter.”
As part of the celebration, Debra Cresta, president of Exeter Hospital and Core Physicians, announced a milestone gift from longtime supporter Jeanne Falzone to benefit the expansion of cardiac services at Exeter Hospital including the addition of a new cardiac catheterization lab and advanced imaging equipment. These investments will increase access to advanced cardiac care for patients across the Seacoast region. In recognition, the hospital will name its Center for Cardiac Care in her honor.
“On behalf of our Board of Trustees, physicians, and staff, we are incredibly grateful to Jeanne Falzone for her generosity and longstanding support of Exeter Hospital and Core Physicians,” said Cresta. “Her most recent gift allows us to move forward with plans to expand access to cardiology services by adding new programs and advanced technologies that will directly benefit patients across our community.”
During the evening, clinicians helped illustrate both the evolving needs of the community and the impact of philanthropic investment. Alexandra Bonesho, MD, director of pediatrics at Core Physicians, spoke to the growing demand for behavioral health support among children, sharing that approximately 50 percent of pediatric visits are related to addressing the mental health needs including anxiety, depression and more complex diagnoses. Gregory Goodkin, MD, director of cardiology at Core Physicians, highlighted advancements being made in cardiac services at Exeter, emphasizing how continued investment in cardiology, will expand access and strengthen the hospital's ability to deliver life-saving care close to home.
“I am thankful for the commitment of our hospital staff, physicians, board members, and community partners to advance innovation, access, and high-quality care across the Seacoast region,” added Cresta.
About Exeter Hospital
For more than 125 years, Exeter Hospital has been integral to the health and wellness of communities in the Seacoast Region. The hospital opened in 1897 as a small cottage hospital on Pine Street in Exeter with accommodations for 10 patients. Since then, Exeter Hospital has grown into a 100-bed community-based acute care hospital that also provides extensive outpatient services.
Exeter Hospital is part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a healthcare system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, more than 4,700 physicians and 39,000 employees in a shared mission to expand access to great care and advance the science and practice of medicine through groundbreaking research and education.
