Award: Health Care Student
Samantha Mallory, a medical assistant student at Sentara College of Health Sciences, was drawn to health care after working in an upholstery shop and taking care of her mother.
The 45-year-old mother of two chose to go into the field after serving as a caregiver to her mother, who went through several years of difficult diagnoses. Mallory started as a personal care assistant before enrolling in Sentara College.
Mallory has already put her medical skills — and instincts — into practice. She rescued a woman from a burning vehicle near her home in Suffolk on Christmas Day, pulling the woman out through a window and guiding her to safety as firefighters arrived.
“Samantha’s actions did more than save a life, they reflected profound empathy, quick judgment, and bravery beyond what is expected of any individual. Her instinct to help, combined with decisive action under extreme stress, prevented a tragedy from becoming a fatality,” Mallory’s professor, Ona Omorogbe, wrote in her Healthcare Heroes nomination form.
Mallory shared more about herself and her experience with Inside Business:
Q: Why did you choose to go into health care?
A: At the end of 2021, we found out my mother had cirrhosis of the liver. I moved her in with me. Then we found out that she had bone cancer. In 2022, we learned she also developed kidney failure. Sadly, she passed. I realized in taking care of my mother, I could also care for many other older adults who need assistance. After a few years of working as a personal care assistant (at a home health care agency), I wanted to go further and learn from the best, so I chose Sentara College.
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: What keeps me motivated is my children. I want them to have someone to look up to and to set a good example for them.
Q: How do you cope with challenges?
A: I like to face challenges head on and make the best decision with all the facts that are available to me.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: The best thing that came out of Christmas Day was that I made a really good friend. People keep calling me a hero. I don’t think I am; I just did what I thought needed to be done. She also calls me her angel, and I don’t think I’m an angel either.
Q: What lessons have you learned?
A: I have learned that not everyone will do the right thing or what should be done. There were also many people standing around just video recording, and watching that broke my heart.
Q: Any advice for those getting started in the field?
Inside Business Healthcare Heroes 2026: Samantha Mallory
