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 final recipient for 2025—and the program’s second overall honoree—is Andrea Roden, Samaritan Experience Manager.
Roden previously served as Samaritan’s Patient Relations Manager and now leads as Samaritan Experience Manager, where she oversees patient relations, the volunteer program, and screening/visitation caregivers. In every role, she has elevated the standard of service, championing a culture where every patient, resident, visitor, and caregiver feels heard, valued, and supported.
Beyond her leadership responsibilities, Roden serves as an Innovation Ambassador and actively contributes to several internal committees, helping shape initiatives that strengthen the organization and enhance the care experience.
She was nominated for this award by multiple caregivers who consistently highlighted her unwavering dedication to her profession, her team, and the individuals and families Samaritan serves. Their nominations reflect a leader whose compassion, integrity, and commitment truly embody the spirit of Samaritan.
Roden was presented with the award on February 10 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.
###
Pictured here is ELM awardee Andrea Roden, Samaritan Experience Manager.
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.
