HERSHEY, Pa. — Penn State Health has appointed Betsy Thomas and Thomas Samson, two medical professionals with four decades of combined experience in health care, to lead its perioperative service unit. In their new roles, Thomas and Samson will work together to enhance surgical services, streamline perioperative processes and ensure the highest standards of patient care across the health system.
Thomas will serve as the perioperative administrative leader. She joined the health system in 2003 as a budget analyst at Hershey Outpatient Surgery Center. Most recently, Thomas served as director of surgical services operations at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Prior to that, she was a business manager for perioperative services at the Medical Center for 15 years.
“Betsy has a strong track record in leading teams, improving processes and delivering high-quality patient care,” said Deborah Addo, Penn State Health’s interim CEO, president and chief operating officer. “Her strategic vision and commitment to advancing patient outcomes will be pivotal in the continued success and growth of our perioperative service line.”
Samson, as the medical leader, has called Penn State Health home since 2010, though his ties to the health system date back to his residency at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center a few years prior. Samson brings 15 years of surgical experience to the perioperative service line, and most recently served as the interim chief of pediatric surgery and surgeon-in-chief for Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.
“His clinical acumen, combined with his collaborative approach to health care, will ensure that we maintain the highest standards in patient safety, clinical outcomes and overall service quality,” said Ken Wood, Penn State Health chief medical officer.
As leaders of the perioperative service line, Thomas and Samson will oversee strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing surgical efficiency, fostering teamwork among surgical staff and implementing innovative approaches to perioperative care. Their leadership will be instrumental in advancing Penn State Health’s commitment to excellence in surgical services.
“Having more than two decades of perioperative experience at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, this new role gives me the opportunity to have a meaningful impact at Penn State Health by facilitating surgical access for patients across the system,” Thomas said.
“I have had the privilege of working with Betsy for several years and her work ethic, professionalism and experience make her the ideal partner,” Samson added. “Together, we plan to unite the surgical sites across the health system in order to maximize efficiency, improve the surgical workflow and provide the highest quality surgical experience for our Penn State patients.”