Samantha Schmaltz
April 2023
Samantha
Schmaltz
,
MSN, RNC
MBU/NBN, NB Clinic, Lactation Services
University of New Mexico Hospital
Albuquerque
,
NM
United States
She interacts respectfully and warmly with staff, physicians, and patients alike, collaborating effortlessly to provide the highest quality patient experience.
Samantha “Sammie” Schmaltz is the Unit Director for the Mother Baby Unit, Newborn Nursery, and Lactation Services. Sammie is an outstanding example of what it means to be a leader. Her peers say, “She is always professional, willing to help her colleagues and team without hesitation, and tackles issues with a purposeful and calm demeanor. She may not be calm on the inside, but she never seems to project distress or frustration. Sammie is a great resource and is incredibly knowledgeable.”
Sammie leads with grace, patience, and kindness. It doesn’t take much to see that Sammie’s staff are incredibly important to her. She makes it a point to know each of them individually and goes out of her way to ensure they know they are valued.
Sammie recently received the following ICARE from a staff member: “You truly care about your staff, and you show time and time again that we are not just your staff, we are your FAMILY! As soon as you heard that my son was admitted to the PICU . . . you reached out to me with words of support and encouragement, you assuaged my fears, and you made me feel so good. We truly have great providers, nurses, and staff here at UNM!! Thank you for everything. It is so encouraging to know you are always there for me. Thank you! YOU ROCK!”
In a recent meeting with our SRMC partners, one of the leaders shared how amazing, kind, and knowledgeable Sammie is. With SRMC adding prenatal services, they need to complete the Baby-Friendly USA training. This leader shared how patient Sammie was answering all of their questions and never made anyone feel foolish. She answered questions and provided resources.
Additionally, the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, had this to say about her, “I’m writing to acknowledge the exceptional work ethic and patient-centeredness of our Mother-Baby Unit Director, Samantha Schmaltz. Ms. Schmaltz is hard-working, cheerful and goes the extra mile for her patients, both in 1:1 patient care and also in her administrative duties. She interacts respectfully and warmly with staff, physicians, and patients alike, collaborating effortlessly to provide the highest quality patient experience. She works both on the individual level and also with high-level policies and procedures, maintaining an open mind to all viewpoints and working to incorporate diverse ideas and perspectives into her final work products. Most recently, I have had the privilege of working with Ms. Schmaltz on a federal project to provide patients with much-needed baby supplies and resources; this project had many moving parts and faced obstacles logistically and administratively. To get this project over the finish line required patience and skill in management of strong personalities and challenging legal barriers. This project will bring so much to our most vulnerable patients and could not have happened without the dedication, perseverance, and vision on the part of Ms. Schmaltz. We are so fortunate that she is on the UNM team, and it’s my pleasure to recognize her.”
As her leader, I have been lucky to work with Sammie over the past 17 years. She started in the Mother Baby Unit as an intern, and she has not stopped growing, learning and becoming an amazing leader. These past few years have brought many changes to our workflow, like SMTs, adjustments to the type of patients cared for on the unit, and the many unknown challenges regarding staffing. Sammie has voiced her concerns, brought solutions, and helped staff become more confident in their patient care skills. I am amazed, but not surprised, and thankful to have Sammie as a leader in our Women’s Area at UNMH. As you can see, Sammie is the definition of a true leader. UNMH is lucky to have her, and she is well-deserving of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
Sammie leads with grace, patience, and kindness. It doesn’t take much to see that Sammie’s staff are incredibly important to her. She makes it a point to know each of them individually and goes out of her way to ensure they know they are valued.
Sammie recently received the following ICARE from a staff member: “You truly care about your staff, and you show time and time again that we are not just your staff, we are your FAMILY! As soon as you heard that my son was admitted to the PICU . . . you reached out to me with words of support and encouragement, you assuaged my fears, and you made me feel so good. We truly have great providers, nurses, and staff here at UNM!! Thank you for everything. It is so encouraging to know you are always there for me. Thank you! YOU ROCK!”
In a recent meeting with our SRMC partners, one of the leaders shared how amazing, kind, and knowledgeable Sammie is. With SRMC adding prenatal services, they need to complete the Baby-Friendly USA training. This leader shared how patient Sammie was answering all of their questions and never made anyone feel foolish. She answered questions and provided resources.
Additionally, the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, had this to say about her, “I’m writing to acknowledge the exceptional work ethic and patient-centeredness of our Mother-Baby Unit Director, Samantha Schmaltz. Ms. Schmaltz is hard-working, cheerful and goes the extra mile for her patients, both in 1:1 patient care and also in her administrative duties. She interacts respectfully and warmly with staff, physicians, and patients alike, collaborating effortlessly to provide the highest quality patient experience. She works both on the individual level and also with high-level policies and procedures, maintaining an open mind to all viewpoints and working to incorporate diverse ideas and perspectives into her final work products. Most recently, I have had the privilege of working with Ms. Schmaltz on a federal project to provide patients with much-needed baby supplies and resources; this project had many moving parts and faced obstacles logistically and administratively. To get this project over the finish line required patience and skill in management of strong personalities and challenging legal barriers. This project will bring so much to our most vulnerable patients and could not have happened without the dedication, perseverance, and vision on the part of Ms. Schmaltz. We are so fortunate that she is on the UNM team, and it’s my pleasure to recognize her.”
As her leader, I have been lucky to work with Sammie over the past 17 years. She started in the Mother Baby Unit as an intern, and she has not stopped growing, learning and becoming an amazing leader. These past few years have brought many changes to our workflow, like SMTs, adjustments to the type of patients cared for on the unit, and the many unknown challenges regarding staffing. Sammie has voiced her concerns, brought solutions, and helped staff become more confident in their patient care skills. I am amazed, but not surprised, and thankful to have Sammie as a leader in our Women’s Area at UNMH. As you can see, Sammie is the definition of a true leader. UNMH is lucky to have her, and she is well-deserving of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award.