Dr Samantha Florio remains committed to helping patients and makes it a point to offer gentle tips on diet, exercise and other lifestyle modifications.
When she meets with patients at her Hackensack Meridian Medical Group Primary Care community-based practice, nurse practitioner Samantha Florio often shares the fact that she used to weigh over 300 pounds.
“I find that my patients trust me a little more afterward,” says Samantha, who has a special interest in diabetes and weight management. “My main approach is to explain, educate and listen to patients to see where they are in their lives and provide the care that fits their needs,” she says. “There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to medical care.”
Taking care of her grandfather is what inspired Samantha, who is from Spotswood, New Jersey, to consider a career in health care. During nursing school, she got her first introduction to Hackensack Meridian Health, working as a physical therapy aide at Old Bridge Medical Center.
When she was offered an opportunity in 2014 to work as a diabetes educator at an Old Bridge endocrinology practice, she says her entire career trajectory changed.
“I never envisioned I’d leave the bedside as a nurse, but working outpatient with diabetes patients opened my eyes to being on an interdisciplinary team,” she says. “I realized we all had something to offer our patients in our own roles.”
Even as a busy mom of two young children, Samantha continued building her resume by completing her nurse practitioner training.
Today she works at the Hackensack Meridian Health & Wellness Center at Metropark as a primary care provider. The over-60,000-square-foot facility offers everything from primary care and physical therapy to specialists and labs, all under one roof. Patient care is more convenient with the center’s extended hours and team approach. Doctors and advanced practice nurses (APN) collaborate on treatment, and a dedicated 24/7 telemedicine doctor is always available for virtual visits.
“I’m so proud to be part of something innovative like this,” she says. “I love that there’s such thoughtfulness of care based around the patient’s priorities and needs.”
For now, Samantha remains committed to helping patients and makes it a point to offer gentle tips on diet, exercise and other lifestyle modifications.
“I encourage patients to make small changes that fit their lifestyles,” she says. For example, she believes that exercise should be doable. “I encourage my patients to start where they are,” she says. “Once they’re on board to get out and walk, then we can talk about making a goal of 10,000 steps a day.”
My Preventive Health Hack
“I’m making it a goal to stay on top of my annual physicals and screenings. I’m coming up on 40, so I should start getting mammograms. I need to practice what I preach to my patients.
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our source: Samantha Florio, AGNP-C
- Make an appointment online with Dr. Florio or a physician near you, or call 800-822-8905
- Learn more about primary care services at Hackensack Meridian Health.
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