A digital rendering of exterior of the Michael and Sheila Satzow Health Center. The couple donated $1 million toward building the health center, which is scheduled to open next fall. (Courtesy Dartmouth Health)
CLAREMONT — City stalwarts Michael and Sheila Satzow have donated $1 million to Valley Regional Hospital.
The money — the largest gift in the Claremont medical facility’s history — will go toward a new medical office building on Elm Street, near the hospital, that is currently under construction, according to a news release from Dartmouth Health, the Lebanon-based health network to which Valley Regional belongs.
“We’ve been fortunate to build our life in Claremont, and we believe deeply in supporting the institutions that strengthen our community,” Michael Satzow, who owned Claremont-based North Country Smokehouse, before selling it in 2015 and retiring, said in the release.
The new $20 million facility will be named the Michael and Sheila Satzow Health Center and is expected to open next fall. It will house primary care, pediatrics, orthopedics and behavioral health services.
In addition to owning the smokehouse, Michael Satzow has held many leadership roles in the community over the years, including serving on the board of directors for Valley Regional Healthcare.
“Mike has been a passionate advocate for Valley Regional Hospital for many years,” Dr. Matthew R. Foster, CEO and president of Valley Regional Hospital, said in the release. “This extraordinary gift reflects his and Sheila’s deep commitment to ensuring that our community has access to exceptional healthcare.”
Michael Satzow also has served on the boards of the New Hampshire Humanities Council and the Claremont Development Authority. In 2024, the Claremont Visitor Center was named after him, the release said.
Together, the couple founded the Fund for Greater Claremont at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, which provides money to nonprofit organizations that support Claremont residents, including free dental care and reading mentor programs.
These articles are being shared by partners in the Granite State News Collaborative.Don’t just read this. Share it with one person who doesn’t usually follow local news — that’s how we make an impact. For more information, visit collaborativenh.org.