Honoring Joyce Fitch – 2024 NHNPA Lifetime of Service Award Recipient

The New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Association is proud to present the 2024 Lifetime of Service Award to Joyce Fitch, MS, APRN, FNP-BC, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to nursing and Nurse Practitioner practice over more than five decades of service.

Joyce has dedicated her career to caring for vulnerable populations, both in New Hampshire and abroad. Starting as a public health nurse in the 1960s, Joyce provided essential care to underserved communities. She went on to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and served at the only family practice in Merrimack, NH, where she was a key advocate for patient care and a devoted preceptor, shaping the future of the Nurse Practitioner profession.

Her passion for public health has taken her on service missions to Haiti and Cuba, where she provided care to rural, underserved populations. Even after retiring from primary care, Joyce continues to work at the Nashua and Manchester Public Health Departments, delivering essential care to some of the most vulnerable people in the state.

Joyce’s lifelong commitment to healthcare and her ability to mentor the next generation of Nurse Practitioners makes her an exemplary recipient of this award. Her dedication, compassion, and leadership have left an indelible mark on the community and the nursing profession.

Please join us in celebrating Joyce Fitch, an outstanding leader who has given a lifetime of service to the advancement of healthcare and the well-being of countless individuals.