Vascular Institute Nurse Practitioner Samantha Hamblin, MSN, AGNP-C, was recently profiled in Oxford Magazine’s 2025 Profile edition—a special publication celebrating standout individuals making an impact in the Oxford community.
This article was originally published in Oxford Magazine’s 2025 Profile.
Samantha Hamblin: Nurse Practitioner Helping People
By Galen Holley
For Samantha Hamblin, healing people is simply following in the footsteps of Jesus – and that’s exactly where she wants to tread.
“I take seriously the opportunity to change somebody’s life, but it’s not about me, it’s for the glory of God,” said Hamblin, a nurse practitioner specializing in vascular surgery.
Hamblin, an Oxford resident and mother of two, said that her Christian faith guides her in all her work.
“I understand that I’m just a part of something bigger, a part of God’s plan,” said Hamblin. “I’m blessed to be in a position to help.”
Rural Experience
Hamblin grew up in the Delta. She witnessed firsthand the crippling effects of abject poverty. That upbringing shaped her outlook on healthcare.
“We have many in this state who don’t have access to nourishing food and information about living a healthy lifestyle,” said Hamblin, who works at the Vascular and Vein Institute of the South in Oxford. “Education and personal care are so critical to making our state a better place to live.”
Hamblin graduated from Bayou Academy in Cleveland. She moved on to Ole Miss, where she earned a degree in psychology, but she always carried with her the image of what a lack of resources and financial strain does to people.
“If you don’t know, you don’t know, and so many of our residents simply don’t understand the factors that put their health at risk,” said Hamblin.
Smoking, bad food, and sedentary habits are the bane of many Mississippians, Hamblin said.
While in school, Hamblin worked as a phlebotomist. She eventually became a diagnostic ultrasound sonographer, working for more than twenty years. She felt called to continue her education.
“I had seen a lot and done a lot,” said Hamblin. “I wanted to be involved in a more impactful way.” She went back to school to become a registered nurse. Hamblin always felt called to deepen her knowledge in healthcare and, alongside it, her faith. She began to realize that her two passions intersected.
“I wanted to help bring a solution to people with few other options,” said Hamblin. “I saw that God had a higher purpose for my life.”
Vascular health is of critical importance in a state that leads the nation in rates of hypertension, obesity, and general well-being. Hamblin wanted to confront those issues head-on. She earned a degree as a registered nurse and took a job in emergency care. From there, she continued on to become a nurse practitioner because she saw a need to reach people on a local, personal level. Her experience in the field of ultrasound provided her with intimate knowledge about the dangers of diabetics losing limbs, a problem that was especially prevalent among the poor. It became her focus.
“I’m really passionate about reaching people in underserved areas,” said Hamblin. “I’ve seen a lot of chronic disease, and it’s much more widespread than you might think.”
Spiritual Healing
When she’s not at work, Hamblin likes to sing with the praise band at Pinelake Church. As a young adult, she had a spiritual awakening that changed the trajectory of her life. One of her favorite songs is “Thank You, Jesus, for the Blood,” perhaps a fitting song for a medical professional. She embraces trauma and delights in healing. Her embrace of the poor and broken is biblical. Hamblin is highly esteemed among her colleagues, including Dr. Dias Perera.
“Samantha Hamblin has been a gift to our practice,” said Perera. “She shines like a beacon extending speciality vascular care from the Delta to the rolling hills. Her background in vascular surgery gives her deep insight into interpreting and understanding complex imaging tests. She is a great asset and an invaluable resource to our region and the medical community.”
Hamblin said that humanity is the heart of any caregiver’s vocation.
“It’s about lifting people up,” said Hamblin. “It’s about that moment, in the presence of God. I’m truly blessed to be part of it.”
“Samantha Hamblin has been a gift to our practice. She shines like a beacon extending speciality vascular care from the Delta to the rolling hills. Her background in vascular surgery gives her deep insight into interpreting and understanding complex imaging tests. She is a great asset and an invaluable resource to our region and the medical community.” – Dr. Anton Dias Perera, Vascular Surgeon