Natalie Battles

Natalie attributes her success to hard work, focus, and unwavering loyalty—values that have shaped both her career and her leadership style. She spent 15 years working alongside Dr. Dennis Santo, remaining committed through every season, both challenging and rewarding. That loyalty not only strengthened her professionally, but deeply influenced the way she leads and cares for others today.

Even in the most demanding and high-pressure moments, Natalie has remained grounded in her purpose: serving patients with compassion and integrity. For her, the work has never been about personal recognition—it is about what is given to each patient. She believes that being able to end each day knowing she has done right by those she serves is the true measure of success.

A defining moment in Natalie’s life came through her personal experience advocating for her terminally ill husband while he was only in his early 40s. Walking through the healthcare system from the patient’s side profoundly changed her perspective. It opened her eyes and heart to the critical importance of patient advocacy—of truly listening, speaking up, and ensuring that every detail of care is handled with intention and accuracy.

That experience became a driving force behind her leadership. It deepened her commitment to making sure every patient feels seen, heard, and genuinely cared for. Today, Natalie carries that perspective into every interaction, leading with empathy, purpose, and a steadfast dedication to putting patients first.

The best career advice Natalie has ever received is simple, yet powerful: put the patient first and always act in a way that allows you to go to sleep with a clean conscience. That guidance has served as her North Star throughout her entire career.

It shapes every decision she makes and every interaction she has. For Natalie, it is not just about completing tasks—it is about ensuring that each patient is truly being served with integrity, compassion, and purpose. She approaches her work with the mindset of doing what is right, even when it is not the easiest path.

At the core of her leadership is a deep belief that patients should be treated the same way she would want her own family members cared for. That standard drives her commitment to excellence and allows her to end each day with peace of mind, knowing she has led with both heart and integrity.

Natalie’s advice to young women entering healthcare is grounded in both experience and heart: ask questions, speak up, and never be afraid to use your voice. She encourages women to do their own research and ensure that healthcare is truly their passion—because if it is not, it will show in how they care for others.

For Natalie, loving your patients is at the core of everything. She reminds others that the patients walking through the doors are the reason the work exists at all, and they deserve to be treated with the same compassion and respect you would give your own family. She believes in leading with humility, maintaining a strong work ethic, and showing up each day with intention and integrity.

She also emphasizes the importance of growth through experience. Mistakes will happen, but what matters most is being coachable, learning from those moments, and continuing to improve. Natalie is passionate about mentoring young women, instilling confidence in them, and walking alongside them as they navigate their careers.

Beyond clinical skills, she highlights the value of strong fundamentals—professionalism, presentation, and accountability—areas she has seen many young professionals struggle with, but ones she is committed to helping them strengthen.

Above all, Natalie wants women to know that they do not have to choose between personal life and professional success. You can be a mother, build a meaningful career, and stay true to who you are. With the right mindset, support, and determination, it is possible to create a life that honors both your purpose and your priorities.

One of the biggest challenges Natalie encountered stepping into her current role was the opportunity to bring greater structure and consistency to the front-end operations. While there was a strong foundation in place, she recognized the need to develop and refine standard operating procedures to support long-term success and scalability. She embraced that responsibility, building processes from the ground up to create clarity, accountability, and a more predictable workflow for her team.

However, she believes the real challenge—and the greatest opportunity—lies in effectively coaching and developing people. Natalie understands that leadership is not one-size-fits-all. It requires knowing your team on an individual level—who thrives with real-time feedback, who prefers private conversations, and who benefits from ongoing follow-up and encouragement.

At the heart of her leadership approach is connection. She believes in truly listening, understanding her team members, and coaching in a way that builds confidence rather than diminishing it. For Natalie, it is essential to hold high standards while also creating a safe space for growth.

She encourages her team to take ownership, learn through experience, and not be afraid of making mistakes—because growth happens in those moments. Her role, as she sees it, is to walk alongside them, providing guidance, support, and reassurance that they will figure it out together.

Natalie believes that building trust and fostering an environment where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow without fear is both one of the greatest challenges and most meaningful opportunities in healthcare leadership today.

At the core of Natalie’s life—both personally and professionally—are two defining values: loyalty and love. Loyalty has been a cornerstone of who she is, shaped by her 15-year commitment working alongside Dr. Dennis Santo. Through every season, both challenging and rewarding, that dedication instilled in her a deep sense of perseverance, integrity, and follow-through that continues to guide her today.

Equally important to Natalie is the value of love—loving people where they are, appreciating what they bring to the table, and choosing kindness in every situation. She believes that how you treat people, especially in difficult moments, speaks volumes about your character and leadership.

Family is at the center of everything she does. As a proud “Lolli” to her two grandchildren, Natalie treasures the time she spends with them and is deeply invested in being an active and meaningful part of their lives. She also credits her mother as one of her greatest influences. Watching her drive an hour each day to a job she loved left a lasting impression. Her mother’s dedication to her patients and her unwavering work ethic shaped the foundation Natalie carries with her today.

From a young age, Natalie was taught the importance of showing up—on time, prepared, and fully committed. In her family, being on time meant being early, and the work was not done until everything was complete. Those lessons instilled a mindset of accountability, resilience, and pride in one’s work.

Today, those same values—loyalty, love, hard work, and family—remain the driving force behind everything Natalie does, both as a leader and as a person.