23 Oct Samita Heslin, MD, MPH, MBA: A 2025 Unsung Hero

In 2021, Dr. Heslin co-founded the Stony Brook Medicine Patient Experience ED Internship, a groundbreaking initiative that has since grown into the largest undergraduate experiential learning course integrated with our institution. Over 6 semesters, she has mentored 164 students who have supported nearly 12,000 patients in the Emergency Department. Dr. Heslin personally developed the full curriculum, which includes essential topics such as emergency medicine, geriatrics, and medical terminology – ensuring that students are not only well-prepared but deeply attuned to the needs of vulnerable populations.
Under her thoughtful guidance, students have distributed thousands of comfort items, ensured patient safety by raising bed rails, and placed call bells within reach, small yet powerful actions that reflect a culture of dignity and respect. Many students have presented their research at the Stony Brook Medicine Research Day Conference, and others, inspired by this course, have gone on to pursue careers in nursing and medicine, reflecting Dr. Heslin’s lasting impact as an educator and mentor. Beyond her contributions to education, Dr. Heslin has been instrumental in embedding the principles of Compassionate Connected Care, the Stony Brook Medicine patient experience framework, into the fabric of the Emergency Department. Through grand rounds and resident education sessions, she has championed empathy and effective communication.

Dr. Heslin exemplifies the spirit of this recognition through her unwavering dedication to patient-centered care, her visionary leadership in education, and her tireless efforts to elevate the culture of compassion within the Emergency Department at Stony Brook Medicine. Her leadership has also been pivotal in achieving 2 ACEP Gold Level ED accreditations – the Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation and the Pain & Addiction Care ED Accreditation. These achievements reflect her commitment to equitable, inclusive care and required deep cultural sensitivity, interdepartmental collaboration, and a vision grounded in respect for every patient population. Notably, these efforts were recognized as a best practice by The Joint Commission, and Dr. Heslin’s involvement was integral to Stony Brook University Hospital earning its first Health Care Equity Advanced Certification. Dr. Heslin’s work often occurs behind the scenes, yet its impact is profound and far-reaching. She embodies the essence of an Unsung Hero – quietly transforming systems, inspiring future clinicians, and ensuring that every patient encounter is grounded in compassion and excellence. Her contributions deserve to be celebrated, and her example should inspire us all.

Recipient Bio:
Dr. Heslin is a dedicated Emergency Medicine physician whose passion lies in delivering compassionate, high-quality care to patients across all age groups. She thrives in the dynamic, fast-paced environment of the Emergency Department, where versatility, teamwork, and purpose converge to make a real difference in patients’ lives.

She holds a distinguished academic background, having earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees from Harvard University, followed by her M.D., M.B.A., and M.P.H. degrees from Stony Brook University. She later completed her M.S. in Clinical Informatics from Oregon Health and Sciences University, further expanding her expertise at the intersection of technology and patient care.

She completed her Emergency Medicine Residency at Stony Brook University Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident, exemplifying leadership and excellence in clinical care. Today, she is double board certified in Emergency Medicine and Clinical Informatics and has been recognized with both local and national awards for her contributions to the field.

Every shift in the Emergency Department reaffirms her commitment to the specialty she loves. She considers it an honor and a privilege to serve the community through her work at Stony Brook University Hospital, where she continues to lead with compassion, curiosity, and a deep respect for the patients she serves.

– Michael Secko, MD, RDMS