Rivier’s Alumni Achievement Awards spotlight business and community leaders

Pictured left to right: Ivan Edwards, Lori McIntosh, Laura Gallagher, and Emma Muller.

Rivier University has granted 2026 Alumni Achievement Awards to four distinguished graduates in recognition of their outstanding leadership and service. These annual awards are presented to alumni who have utilized their Rivier education to make a difference in their professions and local communities while maintaining a continued connection with their alma mater.

“Our alumni represent the University with pride and distinction through contributions to their businesses, organizations, and communities,” says Karen Cooper, Vice President for University Advancement. “It is our privilege to recognize these four remarkable individuals for their ongoing commitment to the University’s mission of transforming hearts and minds to serve the world.”

2026 Alumni Achievement Awards Recipients

The Outstanding Business Leader Award was presented to Ivan Edwards, owner and CEO of Jovana Rehabilitation Medicine & Pain in San Antonio, Texas. Ivan treats patients with a wide range of needs, from physical medicine and rehabilitation to comprehensive pain management and neurorehabilitation, always striving to restore dignity and hope. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Midwestern University and completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center. He completed training in aerospace medicine and proudly serves his country as a U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeon. He was recently promoted to Colonel, caring for injured airmen and helping them return to duty. “It’s a way of giving back to a country that I’m grateful for and serving something bigger than myself,” he says. In addition to earning his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Rivier in 1999, he also completed a degree in theology from Kingsway Christian College & Theological Seminary in Iowa.

The Outstanding Educator Award was presented to Lori McIntosh. Lori’s lifelong commitment to education has shaped the experiences of countless students. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education Teaching from Rivier in 1989 and returned for an M.Ed. in Educational Disabilities in 1999. She has served as a kindergarten and middle school teacher, curriculum writer, and, most recently, case manager at Nashua High School North. Lori has worked closely with students to ensure a smooth transition to high school, provided ongoing academic support, and guided students as they prepare for life after graduation. In addition, she has advised classes and clubs and provided students with meaningful global experiences. In recognition of her outstanding service, she was named Special Education Teacher of the Year by the Nashua Education Foundation in 2024. As she prepares to retire, she reflects, “I always wanted to be a teacher, and working with students and their families has been incredibly rewarding.” Her legacy is one of care, commitment, and deep connection to the students she has served.

The Outstanding Nursing Professional Award was presented to Laura Gallagher. Laura earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rivier in 2010 and has always been drawn to helping others, especially serving the elderly. She began her career as a registered nurse at Hanover Hill, a nursing facility in Manchester, New Hampshire, where she advanced into leadership roles including Infection Control Nurse and Director of Nursing. Laura’s dedication was especially evident when Hanover Hill became the first nursing home to experience a COVID-19 outbreak. She worked tirelessly to ensure residents received quality care while collaborating with local and state officials to adhere to critical safety protocols. In 2023, Laura joined Elliot Hospital as RN Clinical Practice Manager for a primary care office serving patients 65 and older, overseeing physicians and staff. She credits the University’s emphasis on professionalism and accountability for shaping her success. “Rivier helped me see how impactful our work is to the community,” she says, and she remains deeply committed to advancing and strengthening care for older adults.

The Young Alumni Award was presented to Emma Muller. Emma is committed to serving her community through mental health support. After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Rivier in 2020, she began her career at the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center as a case manager, where she identified resources for clients and assisted with functional support services. After completing her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, she transitioned into a therapist role, focusing on trauma-informed care and providing vital services to an underserved population of children and teens experiencing anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress. She works to ensure there are no barriers to patient care and collaborates closely with colleagues to ensure clients have access to the full range of available resources. Her work provides a sense of purpose. “I genuinely feel that I would not feel fulfilled in my life if I weren’t doing something to directly contribute to the well-being of others.” Emma’s compassion and dedication to equity in care truly show the difference one professional can make in the lives of others.

Rivier University, located in Nashua, New Hampshire, offers more than 60 on-campus and online degrees at the undergraduate, professional studies, graduate, and doctoral levels. For more information, visit rivier.edu.