When you walk into the cardiac cath lab at MelroseWakefield Hospital, there’s a good chance you’ll hear laughter coming from behind the double doors. Amid the hum of monitors and the quiet focus of a medical team at work, there’s a lightness that puts patients at ease, said Meredith Softic, RN, a cath lab nurse who has been part of Tufts Medicine for more than a decade.
Meredith didn’t always know she’d end up in cardiology, but she knew from an early age that she wanted to be a nurse. When she was twelve, her grandfather was hospitalized with cardiac issues. “There was one nurse who was so kind to me,” said Meredith. “She didn’t just care for my grandfather, she cared for our whole family. I never forgot that. She showed me what compassion in nursing really means.”
That moment became Meredith’s compass. After working in the emergency room early in her career, she found her home in the cardiac cath lab—a place where science, teamwork and human connection come together in every case.
On any given day, Meredith wears many hats. Some days, she’s in charge, coordinating assignments, managing patient flow and working with the scheduler and physicians to make sure everything runs smoothly. Other days, she’s hands-on, preparing patients for their procedures, supporting them during the process and staying by their side in recovery. “I love the mix,” she says. “I love taking care of patients but I also love supporting our doctors and my team. We really work as one unit.”
That spirit of unity is what Meredith believes makes Tufts Medicine special. “One Team isn’t just a slogan, it’s how we operate,” she said. “Every person in the cath lab matters. From the techs to the nurses to the doctors, everyone has a role and we trust each other completely.” “We talk, we laugh and we support each other. The patients can feel that energy. It helps them relax when they see that we’re in sync.”
The cath lab at MelroseWakefield is a place of quiet miracles. While many people think it’s only about the heart, Meredith says the range of procedures is astounding. “We do more than 100 different procedures here,” she says. “We fix the plumbing and the electrical systems of the heart and we handle so many vascular issues too. The best part is that patients can get top-notch care right here in their community. They don’t have to travel to Boston to get excellent cardiac care.”
Some of Meredith’s most memorable moments happen in the middle of the night. When she gets called in for an emergency, often a heart attack, the adrenaline is high and the stakes are even higher. “Those cases stick with you,” she said. “Sometimes you don’t know how the patient will do. But then you hear later that they’re okay and that you helped save their life. There’s nothing like that feeling.”
For Meredith, compassion isn’t just a value, it’s a practice. “Patients come to us scared and uncertain,” she says. “If I can make them laugh or feel just a little more comfortable, that means everything. I treat every patient like they’re my only one. They deserve that.”
Outside the hospital, Meredith’s life is just as full. She’s a fitness instructor, a woodworking hobbyist and most importantly a mom to two energetic boys, ages four and six. “Being a mom is my favorite job,” she says. “We live in the woods and I love being outdoors, teaching my boys about nature and staying active. It all ties back to what I do at work—keeping people healthy and helping them live well.”
After 13 years with Tufts Medicine, Meredith still finds new meaning in her work every day. “We’re giving people their lives back,” she said. “It’s hard work but it’s beautiful work. And I get to do it with the best team. We really are one team with one heart.”
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