Inaugural 2025 ELM Award Recipient Announced

Published on: November 14, 2025

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to build upon its employee recognition program with the addition of the ELM award for Exceptional Leaders and Managers, celebrating leaders throughout the organization. The inaugural recipient of the quarterly award is Donna Edwards, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Edwards has served in various roles and clinics throughout the organization. She recently accepted duties to serve as the operations manager of Samaritan’s orthopedic clinic in Watertown, while maintaining roles as operations manager in the Adams Family Health Center. She was nominated for the award by multiple colleagues, one of whom said:

“Donna knows the potential and strength of every single employee she oversees, and she nurtures it. People thrive under her guidance because of this. When someone does need support, she isn’t afraid to use out-of-the-box thinking to find a solution. She will find a way for every one of her employees to be their best selves in the workplace.”

Edwards was presented with the award on November 4 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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Pictured on the left is Donna Edwards, Operations Manager of the Adams Family Health Center and Samaritan Orthopedics. Photos on the right showcase Donna’s team at the Adams Family Health Center celebrating her achievement.

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.