Employee Spotlight: Samantha Scodeller

In a Dubuque, Iowa emergency department, Chief Scribe Samantha Scodeller found far more than clinical exposure; she found a network and community invested in her success. Now preparing for the MCAT and upcoming medical school applications, Samantha’s three and a half years with HealthChannels demonstrate how frontline clinical exposure, hands-on mentorship, and an extraordinary culture of support can shape a future in medicine.

At the heart of Samantha’s experience is a deep sense of shared purpose on the floor. “I love being in the ED,” Samantha said. “I think at my job site, we do a great job working together as a team. We’re all in it together, which is the end goal. We all have our roles, but we’ll step into those other roles if someone needs help wherever.”

That collaborative spirit comes from daily clinical mentorship. Emergency physicians regularly pause during shifts to explain atypical scans, walk through treatment plans, and share bedside wisdom. “I think I’ve taken bits and pieces from every provider that I’ve worked with, whether it be their bedside manner or the way that they speak to patients or the way that they educate patients,” Samantha said. “They love taking time to teach me because they know that I want to pursue medicine.”

While that support begins at the bedside, the culture of community extends far beyond shift hours. Balancing her scribe duties, biology coursework, and NCAA soccer at the University of Dubuque, Samantha saw how much her healthcare network supported her throughout the journey. On days when she was away competing on the soccer field, hospital staff and nurses would tune in to her matches during downtime to follow her season. “They were super supportive, and they would even turn on my games while they were at work,” Samantha said. “I really appreciated all the support that they have given me over the years, and I know they’re rooting for me to get into school one day.”

Now serving as Chief Scribe, Samantha pays that mentorship forward. Having personally trained nearly her entire team of pre-med, pre-PA, and pre-PT scribes, she guides them as they integrate into the team, helps them adapt to individual provider preferences, and encourages them as they work toward their own healthcare goals.

For students deciding whether to gain clinical experience while managing a busy academic schedule, Samantha offers an encouraging perspective: “I think that it’s a super beneficial experience if you are on the fence; it’s a never-ending learning opportunity. My biggest piece of advice is that it’s not a race, and if your end goal is what you want to do, you can take whatever path you would like to get there.”

Samantha’s story shows what makes the HealthChannels experience so impactful. It isn’t just about documenting cases or checking off clinical hours for an application; it’s about stepping onto the front lines of patient care, discovering the kind of provider you want to become, and surrounding yourself with a community of mentors and colleagues who champion your success every step of the way.