Growing up, Samantha Fischer was fascinated by medical professionals.
“Whenever I was in the hospital or visiting a specialist to treat my asthma, I was amazed that my team could discern a problem, interpret test results and provide recommendations to help,” she explains.
Seeing how their work improved her condition, coupled with her own curiosity, spurred Fischer to choose a career in medicine. After working in the field of general surgery, she was “drawn” to working with breast patients and breast health providers.
“I appreciated the medical advances in the field of breast health, the attention that the surgeons and care team members gave to each patient, and the support I was able to give patients during a critical period in their lives,” she says.
With that in mind, Fischer chose breast care as her field of specialty and has worked as a certified physician assistant (PA-C) at the Breast Health Center at UM St. Joseph since June 2020. Along with providing follow-up care after surgery and throughout the recovery period, she helps high-risk patients by providing information, support and treatment options for cancer prevention.
“I love the connection that I get to make with each patient: working together to develop care plans that are individualized and aimed at living a full and active life,” Fischer says. “Getting to connect with my patients and understand their experiences is profoundly rewarding.”
“The patients are so appreciative, often with little recognition of how their strength, resilience and sense of humor in the face of cancer inspire us as medical providers,” she adds. “A breast cancer diagnosis is intimidating so it’s a privilege to offer education and answers that help reduce patients’ fears and allow them move forward.”
Fischer makes it a point to be on time, respond quickly and, most importantly, listen and empathize because doing so can make all the difference in a patient’s care.
A proponent of open, honest communication and frank conversations, she talks earnestly with patients about treatment options, side effects, quality of life and the things that matter most throughout their care.
“I appreciate the trust they place in me and try to honor that by listening and making sure I understand their needs and treatment goals,” she says. “Then I work with my colleagues to harness the expertise and experience of our entire team to give patients the recovery they want.”
According to Fischer, “patients can feel confident that they will receive excellent care at the Breast Health Center at UM St. Joseph because the providers truly care and are invested in really getting to know the patients and their families, and caring for them as individuals.”
“There is a fantastic multi-disciplinary approach which encourages case-specific care designed personally for each and every patient,” she adds. “The sense of community here is what makes this Breast Health Center special.”
For an appointment at the Breast Health Center, please call 410-427-5510. To meet the expert team and schedule your mammogram, visit umstjoseph.org/breasthealth.
The Breast Health Center at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center
7501 Osler Drive, Towson, MD 21204
410-427-5510
umstjoseph.org/breasthealth
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