My Dear Friends,
Now that I’m retiring and looking ahead to the next phase of my life, I’m also looking back on my 25 years at Samaritan with a heart full of gratitude. As president and chief executive officer, I’ve had the honor to work with our Samaritan team to provide extraordinary compassion and advanced clinical expertise for generations of people in our South Jersey communities.
I am extremely grateful to our patients and families for the privilege to be of service along your journey. I extend my thanks to all of our Samaritan staff, including those who serve today, and those who’ve served on our team over the past. To our volunteers, including those early pioneers who founded Samaritan 42 years ago as one of the first hospices in the country and those who serve today, I thank you for enhancing our mission of service.
I want to express my sincere appreciation to all of you who have partnered with Samaritan in so many ways over so many years. Thank you to our generous donors for supporting Samaritan’s above and beyond services and ensuring that we are here for everyone in our community. Thank you to our healthcare colleagues and community partners for collaborating with Samaritan to provide access to our life-enhancing care for those we serve.
I congratulate my colleague Phillip W. Heath and wish him every success as he takes the helm as Samaritan’s new president and chief executive officer in the coming weeks. We’ve worked side by side over the past four years through his volunteer service as chair of our board of trustees, and I know that he will continue Samaritan’s legacy of excellence and innovation to serve more people in more ways.
Oprah says that “we have to make the choice – every single day – to exemplify the truth, the respect, and the grace we wish for the world.” Through my work at Samaritan, I’ve had the blessing to share my gifts, live my purpose, and join with all of you to put more love in the world. I believe that we really are all connected to each other, those we serve, our community, and our world. I am grateful for our connections and offer my heartfelt appreciation to all our Samaritan friends in the South Jersey community and beyond. I thank you for partnering with Samaritan – and with me – to support our mission of service and ensure that our team is here to provide comfort, dignity and quality of life for those we have the privilege to serve.
With respect and gratitude,
Mary Ann
