Samaritan Healthcare | The Samaritan | Summer 2019

Desiree Hamilton, RN 4 | THE SAMARITAN Former Samaritan Foundation scholarship recipient gives back by serving others. When students fill out Samaritan Healthcare Foundation scholarship applications, it isn’t every day that their community directly benefits from that investment in their future healthcare careers. Desiree Hamilton, Director of Perioperative Services at Samaritan Healthcare, was one of those scholarship applicants. Now every day, she appreciates that the Foundation believed in her and encouraged her career by investing in her education. And she loves giving back. For 19 years, Desiree has worked in various areas at Samaritan— from CNA/health unit coordinator in the Emergency Department, to LPN, RN then Charge nurse, Short Stay, Surgery, and more. Two years ago, she earned her master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis in nursing leadership and management. “Now as the Director of all Surgical Services, I direct anything to do with the department,” said Desiree. “From the surgical suites themselves, to recovery, sterile processing, anesthesia supply, inventory, budget—all of it.” But she didn’t always feel led to make healthcare her life’s work. “When I was about eight years old, a worker on our farm had an accident,” said Desiree. “When Mom took the paperwork to the hospital, I went along. When I saw the blood and smelled the hospital smell, I passed out and woke up in the next room.” Rather than being an isolated incident, it happened again when her mother got her own nursing degree. Desiree was unable to visit her mother at work because the hospital smells continued to make her feel faint. “When I was 13 or 14, Mom said I needed to do something about my fear,” said Desiree. “She said I should try volunteering at the hospital. I was skeptical, but rather than making it worse, when I concentrated on the needs of others as a volunteer I stopped fainting.” Now, in addition to her duties as a department director, Desiree is also a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) for adults and children in Grant County—providing compassionate medical care to assault victims, while collecting evidence for law enforcement As a SANE examiner for children, Desiree also serves on a Child Advocacy Multidisciplinary team. She was instrumental in helping to develop the committee, which consists of an elected prosecutor, and representatives from child advocacy, therapy, law enforcement, and child protective services. The teammeets monthly to go over all the children’s cases to make sure something isn’t being missed. She also meets quarterly with the Domestic Violence Consortium, which is similar to the children’s group, only for adults. When Desiree isn’t working or volunteering her expertise within the community, she is a busy mom of an eight year old, as well as a yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner. What is the greatest impact the Samaritan Foundation scholarships have had on her life and career? “The support has been tremendous. Every dollar helps,” said Desiree. “When I was in graduate school, it meant the difference between working an extra shift or spending time with my daughter. I owe an allegiance to Samaritan for what they’ve given me. Now I can help form programs that help our area residents—and give back by helping others. There’s a bond now. It’s my community.” Foundation News