Keene State College held its commencement for the Class of 2023 on May 6, 2023. President Melinda Treadwell awarded associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees to more than 600 graduates. She also presented the 2023 Granite State Award to Don Caruso, MD, MPH, president and CEO of Cheshire Medical Center.
Caruso, in a recorded video, said to the graduates that our times and challenges “require special people, like you. It is not for the timid…but it is also incredibly exciting to help effect meaningful change in the world”.
The Granite State Award is awarded annually to a person, agency corporation or foundation that demonstrates outstanding achievement in their field and contributes significantly to the welfare or success of the state.
Caruso is set to retire in May after more than three decades of service at Cheshire Medical and more than seven years in his current role as the hospital’s chief executive. His leadership position followed a long career in this community, beginning with 10 years as the chair of family medicine at Cheshire, and terms as chief of informatics, associate medical director, and medical director.
Caruso played an essential role in helping the Monadnock Region plan for and respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. Leading the hospital and helping to lead the community – including constant contact with the College and its response team – Caruso was instrumental in helping to guide the region through an unprecedented health crisis that tested every system and required unrelenting energy and innovation.
Most recently, Caruso launched a critically important family medicine residency program, to bring more doctors to the area. He received his MD from New York Medical College.
Read more about Keene State College's graduation ceremony here.