CLAREMONT, N.H. – Valley Regional Hospital (VRH) recently opened the doors of its new, $19.5 million project, dubbed the Michael and Sheila Satzow Health Center, located across the street from the hospital’s emergency department. The Satzows are lifelong Claremont residents, Michael a third-generation leader of the local company North Country Smokehouse before the company was sold – while remaining locally-owned – in 2015.
In October of 2025, Michael and Sheila Satzow donated $1 million toward the construction of the new medical facility, the generous gift becoming the largest donation ever made to VRH. Dedicating many years of civic leadership and philanthropy, Michael Satzow has served on numerous civic and nonprofit boards, including VRH’s board of directors and executive committee.
“Mike and Sheila Satzow exemplify what it means to invest in your community,” Joanne M. Conroy stated at the time of the donation. Conroy is the president and CEO of Dartmouth Health. “Their gift will help ensure that families across the region have access to high-quality care they deserve, and close to home. We are deeply grateful for their vision and generosity.”
Multiple departments will now operate from one facility, offering primary care, orthopedics, imaging, obstetrics and gynecology, midwifery, phlebotomy, podiatry, and cardiology and vascular services in a much more accessible location. VRH’s previous outpatient care facility operated under three separate facilities, including an urgent care located at 243 Elm Street, and primary care facilities at 241 and 243 Elm Street and 5 Dunning Street.
Planning for the new, 25,000-square-foot medical facility began more than four years ago, with the 18-month construction process wrapping up last month. It is believed the now vacant buildings which previously served the functions of the new health center will be used to support the new facility, perhaps as medical records or storage facilities.
One of the main, early challenges of the project was blasting and removing 10 feet of rock beneath the construction site over a two-month span, which cost more than $2 million simply to prep the site. Despite this hurdle, and an estimated $22.5 million originally projected for job, it is believed the project will come in under budget at the $19.5 million.
The new facility will undoubtedly make the overall performance of the hospital much more efficient, bringing all of its primary care practices, subspecialists, behavioral health team, orthopedics, radiology, labs, and pharmacy all under one roof. It also offers much larger exam rooms and workspaces, and a central open area to help promote easier communication and interactions between staff members.
Funding for the project was divided between capital designated by the Valley Regional Health Board, a bond from Dartmouth Health, and many donor funds, including the $1 million gift from Michael and Sheila Satzow. It is estimated the new facility will welcome up to 250 patients a day, an increase from the estimated 175 patients across the previous clinics.