2024 Guardian Angel Program Highlights

After moving to Santa Fe, Leslie McManus and her husband Richard both became patients of Mara Saulitis, MD, a family physician and Medical Director at Presbyterian Medical Group on St. Michael’s Dr. From the start, they were impressed with Dr. Saulitis’s patience and kindness, as well as the support they have received from Samantha “Sam” Whitchurch, R.N.  

“Having lived in Denver, Houston twice, San Diego and Philadelphia, we have had many doctors over the years. We feel so fortunate to have both Sam and Dr. Saulitis to be there for us. They both made us feel like very important patients. In today’s world, that is a beautiful thing!” Leslie says. 

Sam has worked for Presbyterian in various roles and locations for almost nine years. She says she loves coming to work every day and takes pride in helping her patients quickly and efficiently. “No matter how busy the day is, I always add patients to my schedule to get them the care they need. I believe that patients come first and it’s my honor to help them,” Sam says.  

In her fifth year at Presbyterian, Dr. Saulitis focuses on building trusting relationships and showing compassion for each patient’s personal and health journey. She says the time she spends with patients, listening, asking questions, often laughing, and sometimes sharing tears, is the most rewarding aspect of her work. “Being a family physician has allowed me to know my patients not only as individuals but also in the context of their family,” she says.  

“The fact that we could contribute in a small way and honor the care we have been lucky enough to receive from Dr. Saulitis and Sam Whitchurch seemed like a great opportunity to us,” – Leslie McManus