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A Conversation with Lisa
Storey, HR/Benefits Manager at
Samaritan Medical Center
QUESTIONS
By Thomas Zamiara
S
amaritan Medical Center is a notfor-profit community medical
center which offers both inpatient
and outpatient health services in the
Watertown/Fort Drum Area. Opening
in 1881 with only five beds, Samaritan
has grown to a 294 bed facility, treating
both civilian and military community
members.
“Samaritan truly is a community asset,”
said Lisa Storey, Manager/Recruiter at
Samaritan. “We are the regional referral
center in Northern New York servicing
our civilian and military population.
I’m a strong advocate for Samaritan.”
Growing up in Watertown, Lisa is
extremely passionate and dedicated
to both the local area and Samaritan.
Recently, Lisa was able to chat with
Confero to discuss her role at Samaritan.
Confero Magazine: Tell me about
how you got into HR and your role at
Samaritan.
6 | April-June 2013
Lisa Storey: I have been with Samaritan
for about 20 years. Just before I started
working for Samaritan I was a claims
processor for a small insurance company
prior to my transition to Samaritan
(about 20 years ago).
Samaritan was a self-funded and
self-administered employer for their
medical, dental, and vision benefits. I
managed those programs for eleven
years and then transitioned into human
resource management in 2001. During
that transition, I assumed responsibility
for recruiting and continued to be
responsibility for employee benefits.
After my role changed in 2001 I realized
that I had the desire to further my career
in Human Resources Management. As
a result, I completed my bachelors in
Human Resource Management degree.
My primary responsibility is benefits
administration
and
compensation;
however I still remain heavily involved
in recruiting.
CM: According to Google and the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, The
unemployment rate as of 12/31/12 in
Watertown was 8.7% and the broader
Jefferson County was 10.4% This
alarmingly high rate for the county
(54 out of 62) has to be creating much
despair and concern for both those
who Samaritan serves as well as the
workforce. Can you comment?
LS: It varies. If I’m recruiting for a
higher level position: manager, director,
nursing supervisor, assistant VP, VP, or
any higher level type of position, our
economy and our unemployment rate
certainly impacts that. Generally the
higher level positions require relocation,
so we’re trying to recruit people into the
area. When that happens, if they do have
a significant other, a spouse, or other
family members who will be relocating
with them, sometimes that’s one of the
first questions they ask: ”What type of
other employers are in the community,