Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center expanded its employee recognition program in fall 2025 with the introduction of the ELM Award for Exceptional Leaders and Managers, honoring outstanding leadership across the organization. The first recipient for 2026—and the program’s third overall honoree—is Leslie DiStefano, Director of Communication and Public Relations.
DiStefano previously served as Samaritan’s Webmaster and, since 2019, has played an instrumental role in building and mentoring a highly skilled communications and marketing team. Under her leadership, the department has strengthened patient and resident communications, enhanced internal communications for Samaritan Caregivers, and elevated the organization’s outreach and engagement throughout the community. She is a dedicated and compassionate member of the Samaritan team, consistently seeking meaningful ways to enhance the Samaritan Experience for every patient, resident, caregiver, and community member she serves.
DiStefano was presented with the award on May 11 and was celebrated by her co-workers.
The ELM Award honors exceptional Samaritan leaders and managers who exemplify the organization’s HEART values—honesty, empathy, accountability, respectfulness, and trustworthiness. Unlike the DAISY, BEE, or OWL Awards, which recognize those in direct patient or resident care roles, the ELM Award celebrates leaders who support care indirectly through their leadership.
These individuals foster safe, supportive environments for staff, uphold quality standards, manage resources responsibly, and cultivate teamwork, resilience, and recognition. They create settings where compassion thrives, enabling staff to treat patients, residents, and families with dignity and respect. Nominated by staff or peers, ELM Award recipients have served Samaritan for at least one year and, like the strong and adaptable elm tree, demonstrate resilience, growth, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous learning. The ELM is a quarterly award.
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About Samaritan Medical Center
Samaritan Medical Center (Watertown, New York) is a 290-bed, not-for-profit community medical center, offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. From primary and emergency care to highly specialized medical and surgical services—such as cancer treatment, neonatal intensive care, behavioral health and addiction services, and imaging services—Samaritan Medical Center and its team of healthcare professionals proudly serve the medical needs of our civilian and military communities. Quality, compassion and safety are the basic principles that guide the exceptional care delivered at Samaritan.
