Samantha L. González ’20

2024 Graduate Of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award

Samantha L. González ’20 is a trailblazer in healthcare and community activism. González studied Spanish and nursing and minored in psychology at Carroll University. While at Carroll, González participated in women’s soccer and track and field, served as an AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study) Alumni Ambassador and a Carroll University Student Alumni Ambassador, and was a nursing peer mentor.

Upon graduating, she immediately jumped into a COVID Intensive Care Unit as a registered nurse to help fill the dire need for nurses during the pandemic, where she specialized in cardiopulmonary medicine. Concurrently, she became a nursing lab assistant at Carroll.

González is currently serving as a pediatric nurse II at Children’s Wisconsin Hospital while also working to obtain her Master of Science in nursing to become a neonatal nurse practitioner through the Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing. In the classroom, she stands out as a natural leader in a competitive national program, guiding and inspiring her cohort. Aside from her rigorous academic pursuits, she juggles many responsibilities, including caring for her mother undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

As a first-generation Mexican American, Samantha is proud to be a luminary in the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives (NALHE), where she graduated from the National La Mesa Emerging Leaders Program and served as a panelist at the 2023 Seattle Summit. She has garnered recognition awards like the DAISY Foundation Award and Ms. Mexican Fiesta 2021-2022. She was also a finalist for Young Professional of the Year 2023 Madison 365.

González’s multifaceted involvements, ranging from academic excellence to community advocacy and healthcare equity, are testaments to her indomitable spirit and commitment to fostering change. Her commitment to social justice is exemplified through her volunteer work with underprivileged families and advocacy for healthcare equity. González is known for her infectious energy, kind heart, and ability to make all feel seen and cared for.