Longtime board leader recognized for his dedication to hospital governance, community service, and advancing healthcare in Greater Nashua
NASHUA, N.H.— St. Joseph Hospital is proud to announce that John Parolin, Immediate Past Chair of its Board of Directors, has been named the 2026 Outstanding Trustee of the Year by the New Hampshire Hospital Association (NHHA). Parolin received the prestigious honor during the NHHA Annual Meeting awards reception on October 19, recognizing his exceptional leadership, commitment to hospital governance, and longstanding service to the Greater Nashua community.
The Outstanding Trustee of the Year Award recognizes an individual whose leadership, vision, and dedication to service have strengthened their hospital and made a meaningful impact on the community.
Since joining the St. Joseph Hospital Board of Directors in 2013, Parolin has held numerous leadership positions, including Board Secretary, Vice Chair, Board Chair, and now Immediate Past Chair. He has also served on the Ethics and Finance Committees and chaired the Nominating Committee, helping strengthen the hospital's governance and support its long-term mission.
“John has been an extraordinary leader, trusted advisor, and friend to St. Joseph Hospital for more than a decade,” said John Jurczyk, FACHE, President of St. Joseph Hospital. “His steady leadership, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, helped guide our organization through some of its most difficult moments. John leads with humility, wisdom, and integrity, and his commitment to our patients, staff, and community has made a lasting difference. We are incredibly proud to see him receive this well-deserved recognition.”
As Board Chair during the COVID-19 pandemic, Parolin worked closely with hospital leadership to navigate significant operational, financial, and workforce challenges while keeping the hospital's mission and the needs of patients and caregivers at the forefront.
Parolin's dedication to service extends well beyond St. Joseph Hospital. A longtime Nashua resident, he has served as a board member and chair of Marguerite's Place and was a founding board member of MP Housing. Through his involvement, he has helped support women and families working toward greater stability, independence, and opportunity. In 2024, he received the Legacy Award from Marguerite's Place in recognition of his lasting contributions.
“To say I was surprised and humbled to receive this honor from the New Hampshire Hospital Association would be an understatement,” said Parolin. “My time on the St. Joseph Hospital Board of Directors has been both a pleasure and a privilege. I’ve had the opportunity to serve alongside an incredible group of fellow board members, but the true heroes are our nurses, doctors, administrators, and every employee who dedicates themselves to caring for our community. This recognition is as much theirs as it is mine.”
Throughout his years of service, Parolin has been recognized for his collaborative approach, thoughtful decision-making, and ability to bring people together around a shared purpose. His leadership has helped position St. Joseph Hospital to continue delivering compassionate, high-quality care to the communities it serves.
About St. Joseph Hospital
St. Joseph Hospital, a member of Covenant Health, is a 208-bed acute care community hospital located in Nashua, New Hampshire. The main campus features the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies and is supported by a network of primary care providers and specialists focused on delivering personalized medicine. Our hospital is DNV-GL accredited and its extensive services include 24-hour emergency care and a certified stroke program, as well as a Cardiovascular Center, Breast Care Center, Cancer Center and Maternal Child Health Center. To learn more about us, please visit www.stjosephhospital.com.
