UH Samaritan Medical Center

04/30/2026

As we look ahead to celebrating Nurses Week, it’s especially meaningful to recognize those who go above and beyond in delivering compassionate, exceptional care.

We are proud to celebrate our DAISY Award nominees—nurses who make a difference in the lives of patients, families, and each other every single day:

Mary Spreng, Becca Starner, Audrey Carr, Ashley Sparks, Layne Kamenik, Gabe Pickworth, Tammie Wood, Raven Farnsworth, Beth Brennamen, Allison Kandel, Anna Susan Burkholder, Lauren Lamoda, Norman Ford, Aaron Moore and Katie Evans.

🌼 Congratulations to our DAISY Award Winner, Kelly Neff! 🌼

Your dedication, kindness, and commitment to exceptional patient care truly sets you apart. We are so grateful for the compassion you bring to every interaction.

Join us in celebrating Kelly and all of our incredible nominees!

04/16/2026

Grateful for the opportunity to share with the Ashland Noon Lions Club this week! It means so much to serve and care for our community. We appreciated the chance to provide updates on the continued strength of our local hospital. Thank you for your ongoing support.

04/09/2026

April is Occupational Therapy Month, and we are proud to recognize the incredible impact our Occupational Therapy team has on the lives of our patients every single day.

Occupational Therapy plays a vital role in helping patients regain independence, rebuild strength, and return to the activities that matter most to them. Whether it’s supporting recovery after injury or illness, helping patients adapt to new physical challenges, or improving quality of life through personalized care plans, our OT professionals bring compassion, creativity, and expertise to every interaction.

We would also like to highlight the leadership of Blake Perkins, Supervisor of Outpatient PT and OT Services. Blake’s journey into this field is both inspiring and deeply rooted in purpose. After sustaining a spinal cord injury at age 20, he pursued his graduate education and built a career focused on rehabilitation and assistive technology. With more than five years of experience, Blake has led innovative programs, including the development of an Adaptive Life Technologies Lab, where he helped expand access to life-changing resources for individuals with disabilities.

His passion for advancing patient independence and improving outcomes is evident in the work he leads here at Samaritan. Blake’s leadership continues to strengthen our outpatient rehabilitation services and enhance the care we provide to the communities we serve.

Please join us in celebrating our Occupational Therapy team and thanking them for the meaningful difference they make in the lives of our patients and families.

04/07/2026

As we recognize Patient Access Week April 5 - 11, we want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to our Patient Access team for the tremendous work they do every single day.

Patient Access is often the very first point of contact for our patients and families. In moments that can feel overwhelming, uncertain, or stressful, this team shows up with compassion, patience, and professionalism. Whether helping someone navigate questions, easing concerns, or simply offering a warm welcome, they set the tone for the entire patient experience.

We know this role is not always easy. It requires balancing efficiency with empathy, all while supporting patients who may be scared, frustrated, or confused. Our Patient Access team handles these moments with grace and dedication, and their impact is felt far beyond that first interaction.

We encourage everyone to take time this week to recognize and celebrate your Patient Access colleagues. A kind word, a note of appreciation, or a simple “thank you” can go a long way in showing how much their work matters.

To our Patient Access team—thank you for being the welcoming face of Samaritan and for the care and commitment you bring to every patient, every day. We are lucky your on our team!

04/05/2026

04/02/2026

A huge congratulations to Jennifer Charman who earned a grant to attend the 2026 SLEEP Conference in Baltimore this June! This award is highly selective, and her hard work and commitment made it happen. Her dedication to advancing sleep research and care continues to inspire us.

Way to go, Jen!

03/24/2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Mary MacDonald, M.D., who passed away on March 22, 2026, after 26 years of devoted service to our community.

Dr. MacDonald joined Samaritan Regional Health System in 1999 and spent her career as a trauma surgeon dedicated to the people of Ashland and the surrounding region. Her skill, compassion, and commitment to caring for those in need defined everything she did — both here and throughout a lifetime of service to medically underserved communities.

She was a beloved physician, a cherished colleague, and a cornerstone of this community. To her patients, she was a source of strength and reassurance. To those who worked alongside her, she was an inspiration.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to her husband Evan, her five children, her four grandchildren, and her entire family. Dr. MacDonald's legacy of service and compassion will not be forgotten.

She will be deeply missed.

03/20/2026

Connecting with our community at the Richland County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo! Our Samaritan-opoly booth was all about one thing — helping YOU start your healthy journey. Ready to advance to better health?

03/19/2026

Our certified nurses are simply the best. Celebrating YOU today and every day — Happy National Certified Nurses Day from UH Samaritan Medical Center!

03/17/2026

Over 1,000 Ashland residents joined the annual St. Patrick's Day parade and creek dying event on Saturday. What a fun way to get in your steps and soak in some Vitamin D!