New England Rural Health Association Welcomes New Board Members Representing Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire
Barre, VT — April 27th, 2026 — The New England Rural Health Association (NERHA) is thrilled to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors, further strengthening the organization’s regional representation and expanding the breadth of expertise guiding its work across New England.
The newly appointed board members include Darron Barfield, Senior Director of Outpatient Services at Cottage Hospital in New Hampshire; Leonardo Ghio, Project Director at the Northwest Hills Council of Governments in Connecticut; and Dr. Robert Baldor, MD, Professor and Founding Chair, Dept. of Family Medicine/UMass Chan Medical School-Baystate, with a practice in Greenfield Massachusetts.
NERHA’s Board of Directors brings together leaders from across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, reflecting the diversity of rural communities and health systems throughout the region. Board members represent a wide range of sectors and perspectives, including healthcare delivery, public health, academic medicine, community health, regional planning, quality improvement, workforce development, state rural health leadership, and nonprofit partnerships.
This broad expertise and geographic representation is central to NERHA’s success. By bringing together leaders with experience across clinical care, community-based programming, policy, education, and regional collaboration, the Board helps ensure that NERHA’s programs and priorities are informed by the real needs, challenges, and opportunities facing rural communities throughout New England.
The addition of Barfield, Ghio, and Baldor further strengthens this regional perspective. Their combined experience in outpatient services, regional planning, and family medicine/medical education will support NERHA’s continued efforts to strengthen rural health systems, build workforce capacity, expand access to care, and foster cross-sector collaboration.
“With more than 30 exceptionally qualified nominees the selection committee had its hands full making a final decision,” said Andy Lowe, Executive Director of NERHA. “ As we enter our fourth decade of service, we couldn’t be prouder of these three new NERHA Board members and the dedication they bring to our mission of improving the health of New England’s rural communities.”
As the first regional rural health association in the country, NERHA serves all six New England states and brings together healthcare providers, community-based organizations, public health leaders, academic institutions, policymakers, and rural advocates to improve the health and wellbeing of rural communities. NERHA’s work includes training, technical assistance, education, advocacy, program management, workforce development, and regional collaboration.
Through their service, Barfield, Ghio, and Baldor will support NERHA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen rural health systems, expand access to resources, and foster innovative solutions that improve outcomes for rural residents across New England.
About New England Rural Health Association:
The New England Rural Health Association has worked to improve health and wellness in rural New England since 1997. Serving members and stakeholders across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, NERHA builds partnerships and programs that expand and strengthen workforce, promote access, and foster sustainability in rural health.
For More Information:
Andy Lowe
Executive Director, New England Rural Health Association
andy@newenglandrha.org
802-324-9282
