Samaritan Medical Center Archives

August 26, 2025August 26, 2025

July 2025 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

A graphic shows the JULY DAISY and BEE Winners Laura Cooley and Kathy Montgomery

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for July 2025. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® honors exceptional nursing staff, while the BEE Award recognizes other outstanding team members who demonstrate excellence every day, both at the hospital and in outpatient clinics.

Laura Cooley, Registered Nurse (RN), received the July DAISY Award. Her nomination, submitted by co-worker Rodney Dobson, RN, highlighted Cooley’s patient care saying:

“Laura consistently goes above and beyond for her patients treating each one as a special individual while providing compassionate care and always advocating for what is best for the patient. Laura’s dedication and genuine kindness uplifts everyone around her and reminds us all why we chose this profession in the first place. It is an honor and privilege to work alongside Laura. She is an inspiration and true role model for what nursing should be.”

The DAISY Award is an international award, backed by The DAISY Foundation. As a DAISY Award honoree, Cooley received a certificate of recognition, a DAISY Award pin, and the “A Healer’s Touch” sculpture—hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of the sculpture has been installed in Samaritan’s Healing Gardens to honor all current and future DAISY and BEE Award winners, funded by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Marketing Specialist Kathy Montgomery was honored with the July BEE Award. Her nomination, submitted by multiple co-workers, described her commitment to Samaritan’s mission saying:

“Kathy puts the good of the team before herself. She is eager to lend a hand, encourages others with kindness, and efficiently completes her many responsibilities. She adapts to unexpected change and is unmatched in her resourcefulness. She has unique ideas and creative solutions. She enjoys giving back and always offers to help others.”

Montgomery received a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with tokens of appreciation.

These awards are presented year-round, and patients, families, and colleagues are encouraged to submit nominations at any time. To make a nomination or learn more about the DAISY and BEE Awards, visit samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

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Samaritan’s July 2025 DAISY Award recipient, Laura Cooley, RN, (left), and July 2025 BEE Award recipient, Kathy Montgomery, Marketing Specialist (right).

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 serves the medical needs of our civilian and military community. Quality, compassion, and safety are the basic principles by which exceptional care is delivered at Samaritan.

About The DAISY Foundation

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and for nurses participating in medical missions. More information is available at http://www.DAISYfoundation.org.

August 14, 2025August 14, 2025

Samaritan to Use Innovative Advanced Technology to Improve Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Photo of Samaritan's Surgical Monarch Team

Robotic Bronchoscopy Aims to Help Enable Earlier Access to Lung Nodules

WATERTOWN, NY – For lung cancer patients, getting an earlier diagnosis is crucial in creating the opportunity for accelerating treatment discussions. Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s MONARCH^TM Platform, a robotically assisted bronchoscopy system enhanced with advanced computer-guided technology, is improving how physicians reach and biopsy lung lesions¹.

The facts:

Nearly every 2 ½ minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with lung cancer, and every day, lung cancer takes the lives of more than 356 people².
The 5-year relative survival is 61% in Stage 1 (localized), but when diagnosed at a late stage (distant) there is a 7% 5-year relative survival³.
Over 70% of U.S. lung cancer patients are not diagnosed until stages III-IV⁴.
Transthoracic Needle Aspirations have an approximate 20% pneumothorax rate; 7.3% of patients require a chest tube and 2.8% – 9% experience significant bleeding^5,6.

We at Samaritan want to enable physicians to provide patients and their families quicker answers, especially around earlier diagnosis and treatment options.

The MONARCH^TM Platform is now in use at Samaritan Medical Center enhancing the work of the skilled pulmonologists at Samaritan Pulmonology – Dr. Rory Sears, Dr. David Rechlin, Dr. Lawrence Kramer, Dr. Aaliya Burza, and Dr. Marco Campitelli. The technology effectively integrates bronchoscopes, instruments, navigation, and robotics into one easy-to-use platform that provides the physician with a full suite of possible endoscopic intervention capabilities. The MONARCH^TM Bronchoscope is designed for continuous vision throughout the procedure^7,8*†. The latest advancement in the platform’s navigation technology, MONARCH^TM QUEST, combines next-generation navigation software with the GE HealthCare OEC 3D Imaging System to speed up algorithm and data processing. It is designed to travel deep into the lungs and precisely guide a biopsy instrument into even the most difficult nodules, while maintaining vision during the most critical segment of the procedure, the biopsy^9‡.

Samaritan is currently the only hospital in New York State utilizing the Monarch Platform with advanced technology. Since its launch, the team has already performed four successful procedures, setting a new standard for lung care in the region.

The outcomes:

As of April 2024, physicians throughout the country have used the MONARCH^TM Platform on over 40,000 patients¹⁰.
With MONARCH^TM for Bronchoscopy, physicians have demonstrated a 15% improvement in overall diagnostic yield compared to traditional ENB bronchoscopy¹¹.

Samaritan continues to invest in our community and with the help of the MONARCH^TM

Platform will change the future of lung care. “The Monarch Platform is transforming the way we approach lung procedures,” said Dr. Rory Sears, Pulmonary and Critical Care specialist at Samaritan. “Its advanced robotic precision allows us to reach and biopsy lung nodules with greater accuracy and safety, which ultimately means better outcomes and peace of mind for our patients.”

Learn more at www.samaritanhealth.com/lung-care.

About Samaritan Medical Center

Bronchoscopy Indications for Use: The MONARCH^TM Bronchoscope and the MONARCH^TM Platform and its accessories are intended to provide bronchoscopic visualization of and access to patient airways for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Bronchoscopy Important Safety Statement: Complications from bronchoscopy may include breathing difficulty, vocal cord spasm, hoarseness, slight fever, vomiting, dizziness, bronchial spasm, infection, low blood oxygen, bleeding from biopsied site, or an allergic reaction to medications. More serious complications from bronchoscopy may include collapsed lung, respiratory failure, hemorrhage, burns, heart attack or cardiac arrhythmia.

References

Retrospective Chart Review of Monarch Diagnostic Bronchoscopy Outcomes in Real-world Clinical Practice. Internal Data 103-000810-00 Rev A

Key Findings. www.lung.org. https://www.lung.org/research/state-of-lung-cancer/key-findings

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2023. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2023. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2023/2023-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdf Cases diagnosed in the SEER 17 areas from 2012-2018, all followed through 2019.

National Cancer Institute. Cancer of the Lung and Bronchus – Cancer Stat Facts. National Cancer Institute. Published 2018. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html

Ho, ATN. Et al. Solitary lung nodule: CT-Guided transthoracic biopsy vs Transbronchial Biopsy with Endobronchial Ultrasound and Flexible

DiBardino, D. Transthoracic needle biopsy of the lung. Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2015

AURIS, 104-002610-01 MONARCH Platform Design Verification Report B2.0, Dec. 2019, pgs 18-19

AURIS, 104-002690-01 Bronch 2.0 Design Validation Report- Functionality, Dec. 2019, pg 18.

AURIS, 104-002610-01 MONARCH Platform System Design Verification Report B2.0, Dec. 2019, Validation Test Report

Internal Report: Monthly Utilization by Hospital

Vachani A, et al. Diagnostic Yield Of Technologies For Biopsy Of Lung Lesions: Using An Advanced Optimization Approach To Compare Single-Arm Bronchoscopy Trials. CHEST 2022;162(4), Supp.: A2118-A2119. https:doi.org_10.1016_j.chest.2022.08.1749. Accessed 3 April 2024.

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Monarch Equipment photo with Dr. Rory Sears

Monarch Equipment photo with Dr. Burza and Dr. Kramer

Photographed above, left to right, is Dr. Rory Sears using the MONARCH, a group photo of Dr. Marco Campitelli, Dr. Lawrence Kramer, and Dr. Rory Sears, and a photo of Dr. Aaliya Burza and Dr. Lawrence Kramer using the equipment together.

August 13, 2025August 13, 2025

June 2025 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

Graphic of the June 2025 DAISY and BEE Award Winners Sarah Lockwood, RN and Emily McNulty, Clinical Pharmacist

June 2025 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for June 2025. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® honors exceptional nursing staff, while the BEE Award recognizes other outstanding team members who demonstrate excellence every day, both at the hospital and in outpatient clinics.

Sarah Lockwood, Registered Nurse (RN), received the June DAISY Award. Her nomination, submitted by fellow RN Haley DelSanto, praised Lockwood’s professionalism and leadership:

“Sarah demonstrates a calm, clear-headed presence even in the most critical situations, providing steady leadership when it is needed most. Her ability to remain composed and focused is a tremendous asset to the team. In addition, she serves as an invaluable mentor to newer nurses, generously sharing her expertise and offering support with patience and kindness.”

The DAISY Award is an international award, backed by The DAISY Foundation. As a DAISY Award honoree, Lockwood received a certificate of recognition, a DAISY Award pin, and the “A Healer’s Touch” sculpture—hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of the sculpture has been installed in Samaritan’s Healing Gardens to honor all current and future DAISY and BEE Award winners, funded by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Emily McNulty, Clinical Pharmacist, was honored with the June BEE Award. Her nomination, submitted by Tina O’Neil, Director of Mental Health Services, highlighted her dedication:

“Whenever I reach out with a question, a request, or any kind of need, Emily is always ready to help—going above and beyond, and always with a smile. Even when it’s not part of her regular duties, she steps in without hesitation. Emily truly embodies our HEART (Honesty, Empathy, Accountability, Respectfulness, Trustworthiness) values.”

McNulty received a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with tokens of appreciation.

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Samaritan’s June 2025 DAISY Award recipient, Sarah Lockwood, RN (left), and June 2025 BEE Award recipient, Emily McNulty, Clinical Pharmacist (right).

About Samaritan Medical Center

About The DAISY Foundation

August 11, 2025August 11, 2025

Samaritan Enhances Breast Surgery Precision with EnVisio® Navigation System

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan is proud to announce the integration of the EnVisio® Surgical Navigation System into its breast surgery program at Women’s Wellness and Breast Care. This state-of-the-art technology provides real-time, image-guided navigation, allowing surgeons to perform breast-conserving procedures with greater precision and confidence.

The EnVisio system, by Elucent, acts like a GPS for surgeons. It allows them to locate and remove breast lesions with pinpoint accuracy, often through smaller incisions and with less disruption to surrounding healthy tissue.

“This technology represents a significant advancement in breast surgery,” said Michael Peyser, MD, Breast Surgeon. “We are one of the first hospitals in Central NY and the North Country to utilize the EnVisio system which makes breast surgery more precise and efficient. The technology provides 3-D surgical awareness and uses real-time data on the location of the cancer to be removed.”

The addition of EnVisio to Samaritan’s surgical suite brings several patient benefits:

Greater accuracy in locating tumors and abnormalities
Smaller incisions, leading to faster healing and better cosmetic outcomes
Improved surgical confidence, especially in complex or non-palpable cases
Streamlined coordination with radiology and pathology teams

“We are committed to staying at the forefront of innovation in breast care,” said Dr. Mario Victoria, Vice President for Medical Affairs/Chief Medical Officer. “EnVisio is part of our investment in providing patients with the safest, most advanced surgical options available.”

This cutting-edge technology supports the hospital’s broader mission to deliver comprehensive breast care through a collaborative team approach that includes breast surgery and genetics, radiology, medical and radiation oncology, and plastic surgery—ensuring patients receive seamless, compassionate, and state-of-the-art care.

For more information about breast surgery and treatment options at Women’s Wellness and Breast Care, visit samaritanhealth.com/breast-care.

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August 7, 2025August 7, 2025

Samaritan Home Health Achieves High Quality Rating in Latest Medicare Care Compare Report

Samaritan Home Health Occupational Therapy Tammy Perez

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Home Health Agency, a leading provider of home health services in Jefferson County is proud to announce its recent performance in the latest Medicare Care Compare Quality of Patient Care Star Ratings, reaffirming its commitment to delivering exceptional care to patients in the comfort of their homes.

In the most recent update, Samaritan Home Health received a 4-star quality rating, placing it above average compared to other home health agencies across the country and in the region. This score is based on seven key measures of care quality that assess both processes of care and patient health outcomes. This rating represents an improvement from a consistent 3.5-star rating, reflecting the team’s continued efforts to enhance care and patient outcomes.

“This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our team to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that improves the lives of our patients every day,” said Mariah Sech, RN, BSN, Administrator and Director of Patient Services for Samaritan Home Health.

The Quality of Patient Care Star Rating is based on:

How quickly care is initiated
Improvement in patients’ ability to:
- Take oral medications correctly
- Walk or move around
- Get in and out of bed
- Bathe independently
- Breathe with less difficulty
Rates of preventable hospital admissions

These quality measures fall into broader categories that matter most to patients and families: managing daily activities, treating symptoms, preventing harm, preventing unplanned hospital care, and value of care delivered.

Across the nation, most agencies receive a 3 or 3.5-star rating, making Samaritan Home Health performance notably strong. These scores are updated quarterly based on the most current available data.

Patients and families can compare agencies using the Medicare Care Compare tool:
https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/#search

“We are honored by the trust our patients place in us and remain focused on continuous improvement to ensure safe, effective, and personalized care at home,” added Sech.

While the ratings help consumers make informed decisions, it is important to note that a high rating does not imply federal endorsement but rather indicates strong comparative performance based on publicly reported data.

For more information about our services or to speak with an intake coordinator, please contact:
315-782-0415.
www.samaritanhealth.com/homehealth

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August 1, 2025August 8, 2025

SUSAN PETERS NURSE PRACTITIONER SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED

Photo of Susan Peters Scholarship Winners 2025

Watertown, New York — Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern New York is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Susan Peters Scholarship: Olivia Marra and Courtney Sartwell.

Olivia Marra, a Registered Nurse in Samaritan’s Interventional Radiology, Progressive Care Unit (PCU), and Infusion Departments, is pursuing her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. Courtney Sartwell, also a Registered Nurse at Samaritan in the PCU, is continuing her education to become a Nurse Practitioner.

The Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship was established in 2018 to assist with the education costs for Registered Nurses who are continuing their education, specifically to pursue Nurse Practitioner degrees. Two scholarships of $2,000 are awarded each year.

Mrs. Peters graduated from the former House of the Good Samaritan School of Nursing and retired from Samaritan Medical Center as a Certified Oncology Nurse; prior to that, she had served as a staff RN and for more than 20 years as a Nurse Manager of Medical/Surgical, Orthopedic and Alternate Level of Care Units. Susan Passed away in 2020.

Nurse Practitioners are able to provide many of the same services as physicians, including developing treatment plans for their patients, ordering tests, performing minor procedures, and prescribing medication.

For more information, please contact the Samaritan Medical Center Foundation at 315-785-4584, visit samaritanhealth.com/scholarships, or email [email protected].

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Pictured from left are Mary Dawley, Olivia Marra, Beth Fipps, Courtney Sartwell, Marie Hess.

July 25, 2025July 25, 2025

Samaritan Medical Center is Nationally Recognized for its Commitment to Providing High-Quality Stroke Care

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines^® – Gold Plus award for proven dedication to ensuring all stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving care

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines^® – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

“Samaritan is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Dr. Mario Victoria, Vice President for Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at Samaritan Medical Center. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in the North Country can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Samaritan Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

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July 23, 2025July 23, 2025

May 2025 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

Graphic of DAISY and BEE Winners for May 2025

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for May 2025. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who are excellent every day, both at the hospital and outpatient clinics.

Nigel Mascoll and Joseph Roche, Registered Nurses (RN) at Samaritan Medical Center, received the DAISY Award for May. Crystal Sutton, a Home Health Aide with Samaritan Home Health, received the BEE Award for May.

The DAISY nomination was provided by the family of a patient who highlighted the compassionate care, patience, and calming approach these nurses took while caring for their loved one.

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Mascoll and Roche were presented with certificates commending them as extraordinary nurses. They each received a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this sculpture has also been installed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan Medical Center in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners to come. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Latara Antwine, a Clinical Liaison with Samaritan Home Health, nominated Sutton saying:

“Crystal cares for patients and uplifts her team and strengthens our agency’s mission. She works collaboratively with both nursing and administrative staff to maintain compliance and quality, never hesitating to take on additional work if it means helping the team succeed.”

Sutton was presented with a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.

These awards will continue to be presented throughout the year, and patients, families, or colleagues can submit nominations at any time. To make a nomination or to learn more about the Samaritan DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

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Samaritan’s BEE winner for May 2025, pictured on the left, is Home Health Aide Crystal Sutton. Samaritan’s DAISY Winners for May 2025 are Registered Nurses Joseph Roche and Nigel Mascoll, pictured left to right.

About Samaritan Medical Center

About The DAISY Foundation

June 13, 2025June 13, 2025

April 2025 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

DAISY and BEE Winners April 2025 Graphic

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for April 2025. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who are excellent every day, both at the hospital and outpatient clinics.

Roxane Christopher and Alexandra Lillie, Registered Nurses (RN) in the Labor and Delivery unit of Samaritan’s Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children, received the DAISY Award for April. Toni Rodriguez, a Screening and Visitation Specialist at Samaritan Medical Center, received the BEE Award for April.

The DAISY nomination was provided by a patient, Tifany Gill, who stated, “Roxane and Alexendra both deserve the DAISY award. Although they didn’t physically deliver my baby, they made the most traumatic and fearful experience I’ve had in nearly a decade feel like I was experiencing it with support. Both nurses made me feel like I was safe and cared for.”

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Christopher and Lillie were presented with certificates commending them as extraordinary nurses. They each received a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this sculpture has also been installed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan Medical Center in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners to come. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Rodriguez was nominated by Cindy Oster, a visitor who expressed that Toni’s sincerity and empathy, as well as warm personality make a world of difference to her, and to all visitors and patients of Samaritan Medical Center.

Rodriguez was presented with a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.

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Samaritan’s DAISY winners for April 2025, pictured on the left, from left to right, are Registered Nurses Alexandra Lillie and Roxane Christopher. The next photo shows the nurses with the nominating family. The BEE winner, pictured next, is Toni Rodriguez, Screening and Visitation Specialist. The final photo shows her with her nominator, Cindy Oster.

About Samaritan Medical Center

About The DAISY Foundation

May 28, 2025May 28, 2025

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Scholarships Applications Available

Watertown, NY — Applications will be accepted for the eighth annual Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship beginning June 1, 2025, and concluding July 15, 2025. A retired nurse from Samaritan Medical Center established a scholarship through the Samaritan Medical Center Foundation for Registered Nurses (RNs) looking to advance their careers as Nurse Practitioners (NPs). Sadly, Peters passed away in 2020, yet this scholarship remains part of her legacy and commitment to healthcare in the community.

The Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship was established in 2018 to assist with the education costs for an RN who is continuing their education, specifically to pursue a Nurse Practitioner degree. Two scholarships of $2,000 will be awarded each year.

Peters graduated from the former House of the Good Samaritan School of Nursing and retired from Samaritan Medical Center (SMC) as a Certified Oncology Nurse; prior to that, she had served as a staff RN and for more than 20 years as a Nurse Manager of Medical/Surgical, Orthopedic and alternate level of care units.

Beth Fipps, Vice President of Samaritan Foundation and Community Services, explained, “We are so grateful to Susan for leaving a legacy to a profession she was so committed to. Susan so generously established this scholarship to promote the Nurse Practitioner profession because she felt there is an increasing need for such a role due to the nationwide shortage of healthcare providers.”

Nurse Practitioners provide vital care to patients, including developing treatment plans for their patients, ordering tests, performing minor procedures, and prescribing medication.

The 2024 scholarships awardees were Joseph Donoghue and Cindy Keenan. Joseph is a Registered Nurse in the emergency department at Samaritan Medical Center and obtained his Family Nurse Practitioner degree in December. Cindy is a Registered Nurse at Samaritan and is obtaining her Nurse Practitioner degree.

Again, the application period for the Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship is June 1-July 15, 2025, with the scholarship award announcement set to take place in August 2025.

To be eligible for this scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Be a Registered Nurse (RN) with a minimum of two full years’ working experience. RNs currently working for Samaritan Medical Center preferred, but not mandatory.
Medical/Surgical experience preferred but not necessary.
Must be a resident of either Jefferson or Lewis County, New York.
Eligible to apply after successful completion of the first semester in a Nurse Practitioner program with at least a B average.

As part of the application, Registered Nurses must describe why they are pursuing their Nurse Practitioner degree and where, as well as whether they have a financial need. Applicants should submit two letters of recommendation and the two most recent transcripts along with the application to support the RNs pursuit of a Nurse Practitioner degree.

For more information or to obtain a scholarship application, please visit www.samaritanhealth.com/scholarshipapplication or contact the SMC Foundation at 315-785-5785 or visit www.samaritanhealth.com/scholarships. The application can be completed online, emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Samaritan Foundation, Attn: Beth Fipps, 830 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

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References

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