NEPC Administrative Team
Jack McDonald, NHA – CEO/CFO
For more than 25 years, Jack McDonald has been working at New England Pediatric Care, overseeing the operations of the skilled nursing facility for medically fragile children. As CEO/CFO, Jack ensures that the facility delivers the highest quality care, and prepares the organization to adopt new technologies to assume the broad range of care needed to support NEPC residents. Jack received his Nursing Home Administrators license in 1998 and has held several other senior management positions in care facilities in the area. Jack received his BS in Management from Franklin Pierce College.
Lauren Mazerall, M.S. CCC-SLP, LNHA – President-Executive Director
In this role, Lauren oversees the day-to-day operations and clinical programming for medically fragile children and young adults. Lauren started her career in healthcare as a Speech-Language Pathologist and later became the Director of Rehabilitation for a large team of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists. She then further pursued her passion for healthcare leadership by earning her Nursing Home Administrator license while working as the Assistant Administrator for a Subacute Rehabilitation Center. Lauren takes a collaborative approach to her day and recognizes that all members of the team play an integral part in the care and success of our residents. She believes strongly in community involvement and philanthropy and has been involved with the Alzheimer’s Association, Make-a-Wish Foundation and Special Olympics. Lauren earned a BS in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of New Hampshire and a MS degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Emerson College.
Maria Wizboski, RN-C, BSN, CDE, Vice President- Director of Clinical Operations
Maria Wizboski is the Vice President and Director of Clinical Operations at New England Pediatric Care. In this role, Maria oversees clinical programing at NEPC. Maria is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and attends Boston University and is pursuing her master’s degree in public health. Maria’s passion is ensuring quality care to diverse populations and leveraging health care equity to underserved populations. She has worked in diverse health care settings including emergency and trauma nursing, cardiovascular care, and special needs education. Maria’s approach is grounded in interdisciplinary team-based methods.
Mary K. Whalen, RN – Director of Nursing
Mary is Director of Nursing at New England Pediatric Care, and has held this role since 2003. In year’s prior, Mary started her nursing career as a Nursing Assistant at New England Pediatric Care where she discovered her passion for working with medically complex multi-handicapped children. During Mary’s successful nursing career, she became an RN and worked in several skilled nursing and pediatric facilities. She held a wide range of positions including staff nurse, a head nurse and a nurse supervisor before coming back to her roots and rejoining New England Pediatric Care as the Director of Nursing.
Amy M. Gagnon M.Ed. – Director of Education
Amy joined New England Pediatric Care as Director of Education in January 2015. Amy has dedicated her career to working with children and young adults with special needs. Amy has worked in both the public and private sectors of special education. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College and her Graduate degree in Special Education at Salem State College. Throughout the past decade, Amy has held numerous roles in Special Education including Special Educator, Professional Development Coordinator and Assessment Specialist. Amy is committed to ensuring students have access to an appropriate, challenging and meaningful education in specialized schools. Amy is a licensed Special Education Administrator and Principal and is very excited to work with the teachers and students here at New England Pediatric Care.
Ashley Richard, MSW, LCSW – Director of Social Work
Ashley joined New England Pediatric Care’s team in July of 2021. Ashley has become an integral member of the team at NEPC and has enjoyed building relationships with the residents at New England Pediatric Care as well as their families. She is a strong advocate who addresses both the psychosocial and concrete needs for the residents and their families. She received her Bachelor’s degrees in family studies and psychology at the University of New Hampshire and her master’s degree in social work at Salem State University. Previously, she worked as a Kindergarten teacher as well as in early intervention, working with developmentally delayed children and their families.
Megan Harris, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
Megan Harris is the Director of Therapeutic Recreation (CTRS) at New England Pediatric Care. Megan takes great pride in bringing joy to the residents, staff and our NEPC families. Megan individualizes the residents plan of care and finds creative ways to enrich their lives. Prior to joining NEPC, Megan worked at a day habilitation program and as a community advocate for individuals with brain injury. Megan received her bachelor’s degree at St Ambrose University and furthered her education in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Wisconsin -Milwaukee.