Meet Our Leadership Team

Michael Collins, CEO

The MVH Nursing Leadership Team

Diane C. Lovallo, RN, BS, HSA, MBA
Chief Nursing Officer

Jacalyn Gauron, RN, BSN
Associate Director of Nursing

Audrey Mears, RN
Director of Emergency Services

Joann Duffy, RN, BSN
Director of Critical Care

Cheryl Durkee, RN
Director of Surgical Services

Kathleen MacDowell, RN
Director of Adult Behavioral Medicine

Diane C. Lovallo, RN, BS, HSA, MBA
Chief Nursing Officer

"Our goal is to provide this community with the services they desire and deserve. The patient's needs will be our number-one priority. The input of medical staff and nursing team members will be heard as we plan, educate and implement the health care process. Our intent is to make Merrimack Valley Hospital a desirable place to be, from both the patient, physician and employee perspective."

Diane brings more that 30 years of acute, critical, long term and assisted living nursing management experience to her Chief Nursing Officer role at MVH.

She has earned a reputation for creating a rewarding team environment in which nurses have autonomy and play a key role in achieving patient-driven goals. Diane has 2 children, Lauren, an Occupational Therapist, and Mark, a Radio Producer.

Jacalyn Gauron, RN, BSN
Associate Director of Nursing

"Through my long involvement with this critical care staff, I know their unfailing dedication, compassion and commitment to providing quality care will make the MVH Critical Care Department a recognized leader in the area."

Jackie worked her way up from a staff nurse in the medical surgical unit to the role of critical care nurse manager at Hale Hospital. She reassumes the position of Director of Critical Care Services at MVH. She has 15 years of management experience and is known for her hands-on, team-oriented leadership style. A Haverhill native, Jackie obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Summa Cum Laude, from Salem State College in Salem, MA. She has two sons and enjoys reading, traveling and gardening.

Audrey Mears, RN
Director of Emergency Services

"I'm pleased to be leading the ED during such an exciting time. I've always known the ED had the potential to be the best in the Merrimack Valley. My goal is to tap its potential by focusing on programs and services that will make it a patient-friendly experince."

Audrey Mears is responsible for overseeing all administrative and clinical aspects of the hospital's emergency department operations.  Most recently she served as the emergency department nurse manager. Ms. Mears has twenty years of nursing experience. She served five years as a medical-surgical nurse, five years as a labor and delivery nurse and ten years as an emergency department nurse, all at the former Hale Hospital.

Ms. Mears obtained her associates degree in nursing from Northern Essex Community College. She lives in Haverhill with her husband, Fred, and their three children. Her hobbies include camping in Maine, skiing and skating.

Cheryl Durkee, RN
Director of Surgical Services

Cheryl Durkee, RN is the Director of Surgical Services, overseeing the Operating Room,                          
Post Anesthesia Care Unit, and Central Sterile. With over 19 years of operating room
experience and a solid foundation in orthopedics Cheryl is an asset to our staff.