Samantha Rothman, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, has been honored with the Rising Star Award by the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners (VCNP). Presented in March 2025, the award recognizes a nurse practitioner with fewer than five years of experience who demonstrates leadership typically seen in more seasoned professionals.
Rothman, a family nurse practitioner in VCU Health’s Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, was named lead advanced practice provider (APP) in 2023. In this role, she supports more than 20 APPs across 10 clinic sites as a mentor, educator, and resource.
“I never expected the work I do within the department to be recognized at a state level,” Rothman said about earning the award. “I was humbled to hear the positive feedback from my colleagues about the work I have been doing and trying to build upon. I was very humbled and honored to receive it.”
VCNP praised Rothman’s leadership and contributions to onboarding, clinical capacity and workflow improvements—sentiments echoed by colleagues across the department.
“Sam joined our team during the pandemic and demonstrated extraordinary clinical acumen, a very strong work ethic and is a natural leader,” said Scott Strayer, M.D., chair of the department. “She has accomplished much in a short time and has been a key to our success in growing primary care and ensuring high-quality care through her recruitment and retention efforts with other APPs, and her ongoing advocacy.”
Mark Ryan,M.D., vice chair for clinical operations and quality, also applauded Rothman’s leadership as the department’s first lead APP.
“Sam’s performance has been excellent,” Dr. Ryan said. “She has actively leaned into the work, creating new pathways of communication between our growing APP team and the department, developing and implementing onboarding protocols for newly hired APPs, addressing all APPs’ annual evaluations, and leading the reviews of new applications. She has handled all these tasks, as well as unexpected developments, with professionalism and a collaborative approach.
Rothman’s colleagues say that not only is her leadership effective, it’s also inspiring.
“Sam inspires me to be a better clinician: she is thorough, personable, patient-centered,” said Melissa Bradner, M.D., a physician at Downtown Family Medicine. “My patients frequently comment that they find her professional, clinically proficient, and a good listener. She writes excellent notes and communicates with the primary care-designated physician appropriately.”
Reflecting on her early career success, Rothman credited her education, including a nurse practitioner residency at International Community Health Services in Seattle, Wa., and the mentorship she’s received in her career, for providing a strong foundation for practice.
“I have to thank my NP residency for making me the NP I am today, as well as the mentorship from various physician colleagues within the department,” she said. “I saw how slow onboarding and mentorship helped me gain the knowledge and confidence I needed to practice. I also have to thank my colleagues, Dr. Strayer, Dr. Ryan, Dr. Peel, Dr. Mantzouris, and my entire AOP Family Medicine Team, from whom I have learned so much and who have helped guide me in my clinical practice to become the best provider I can be.”
In 2023, Rothman was also named APP Leader of the Year by her VCU Health colleagues. Despite her rapid rise, she remains focused on growth and continuing to provide compassionate and collaborative leadership to positively impact patient care and team building.
“I am enjoying where I am at right now so my goals are to make everything I have been doing better!”