Samantha Messick
March 2026
Samantha
Messick
,
BSN, RN
NSICU
Temple University Hospital
Philadelphia
,
PA
United States
When our seemingly healthy 25-year-old son suffered a stroke on January 31 and was admitted to Temple University Hospital it was the most terrifying day of our lives. The first nurse we met in the ER, and later in the ICU, was Nurse Samantha, and from that very first moment, she made an extraordinary impact on our family. Nurse Samantha exemplifies the very best of nursing. Clinically, she is exceptional.
Shortly after our son arrived at the ICU, she recognized a sudden change in his mental status. Through her sharp assessment skills and swift action, she immediately notified the physician and ensured he was taken for an urgent scan. Because of her vigilance, he received critical, timely intervention, including intubation to protect his airway. Her expertise and quick thinking were instrumental during a life-threatening moment. Just as remarkable as her clinical skill is her compassion. Amid overwhelming fear and uncertainty, Samantha remained calm, steady, and reassuring. She explained every medication and procedure in terms we could understand, answered our many questions with patience, and kept us fully informed of the plan of care. She made sure we could participate in physician rounds and feel included in decisions about our son’s treatment.
What truly sets Nurse Samantha apart is the genuine humanity she brings to her work. She took the time to sit with us and ask about our son—who he is, what he loves, where he went to school, and what he enjoys doing. She greeted him warmly each day with a cheerful “Hi Sam,” ensuring he was treated not just as a patient, but as a person. She anticipated our needs, offering tissues, water, and comfort, and even checked on us when our son was no longer assigned to her care. She made us feel that our son had not only a nurse, but a dedicated advocate.
Nurse Samantha’s dedication, attention to detail, clinical excellence, and extraordinary compassion earned our complete trust. We felt confident placing our son’s life in her hands. Her intangible qualities—kindness, empathy, and authentic care—truly distinguish her as an outstanding nurse. We are forever grateful for the difference she made during the most difficult time in our lives. Temple is incredibly fortunate to have Nurse Samantha on its nursing staff, and we wholeheartedly believe she deserves this recognition.
Shortly after our son arrived at the ICU, she recognized a sudden change in his mental status. Through her sharp assessment skills and swift action, she immediately notified the physician and ensured he was taken for an urgent scan. Because of her vigilance, he received critical, timely intervention, including intubation to protect his airway. Her expertise and quick thinking were instrumental during a life-threatening moment. Just as remarkable as her clinical skill is her compassion. Amid overwhelming fear and uncertainty, Samantha remained calm, steady, and reassuring. She explained every medication and procedure in terms we could understand, answered our many questions with patience, and kept us fully informed of the plan of care. She made sure we could participate in physician rounds and feel included in decisions about our son’s treatment.
What truly sets Nurse Samantha apart is the genuine humanity she brings to her work. She took the time to sit with us and ask about our son—who he is, what he loves, where he went to school, and what he enjoys doing. She greeted him warmly each day with a cheerful “Hi Sam,” ensuring he was treated not just as a patient, but as a person. She anticipated our needs, offering tissues, water, and comfort, and even checked on us when our son was no longer assigned to her care. She made us feel that our son had not only a nurse, but a dedicated advocate.
Nurse Samantha’s dedication, attention to detail, clinical excellence, and extraordinary compassion earned our complete trust. We felt confident placing our son’s life in her hands. Her intangible qualities—kindness, empathy, and authentic care—truly distinguish her as an outstanding nurse. We are forever grateful for the difference she made during the most difficult time in our lives. Temple is incredibly fortunate to have Nurse Samantha on its nursing staff, and we wholeheartedly believe she deserves this recognition.