I was recently the attending physician during the transport of a critically ill newborn named V, who required emergent transfer to CHLA for an ECMO evaluation. This infant had the unfortunate combination of severe pulmonary hypertension as well as severe pulmonary hemorrhage. In addition to these primary diagnoses, this patient was also hypotensive and required vasoactive support. There was a significant mixed acidosis that required treatment. Our patient had also developed acute renal failure with little to no urine output during the 12-hour period prior to transport. One thing that is important to understand about critical care transport is that we do not have access to the same resources and the same level of support as teams taking care of critically ill patients here inside of CHLA. Oftentimes, the transport nurse is on their own to draw up and administer medications, mix and start continuous infusions, and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions. After a number of interventions that our team needed to make, we were able to see a significant improvement in our patient's condition. Sarah had to make multiple adjustments to the continuous infusions that the patient had running. She had to start new infusions for sedation and blood pressure support. IV fluids were administered to help correct the patient's acidosis. We saw an overall improvement in our patient's condition that left us feeling confident that he was now stable for transport. Just as we were getting ready to move him into the transport isolette, we saw his oxygen saturations plummet. Soon after, we saw his endotracheal tube fill with bright red blood. His pulmonary hemorrhage reoccurred. This was soon followed by a drop in his blood pressure. Sarah was able to quickly and calmly assist in administering epinephrine down his ET tube to stop the bleeding. She made several adjustments to the multiple inotropes that were running to support his blood pressure. She was also able to rapidly start a transfusion of FFP in order to prevent additional bleeding. Despite these interventions, our oxygen levels remained low enough that it became obvious to our team that our patient would need to be placed on ECMO for his best chance at survival.  We were also concerned that he might not be stable enough to survive the transport back to CHLA. At that same moment, V's parents arrived at the bedside after picking up his 3-year-old sibling from daycare. They were stunned to learn of his sudden deterioration and his now emergent need for ECMO. Prior to leaving the outside hospital NICU, Sarah recognized the importance of taking a few extra moments to let V's parents touch him, kiss him, and tell him that they loved him. She knew that this could have potentially been their last opportunity to do so. Fortunately, V slowly and steadily improved during the remainder of the transport. When we arrived in the NICU at CHLA, the ECMO team was standing by ready to begin treatment. V was then able to be quickly and safely cannulated onto ECMO.

I have had the honor and privilege to work with Sarah for the past 18 years on the Emergency Transport team here at CHLA. As incredible as the work was that she did during this transport, this might not have been the most incredible thing that I've seen her do over the years. This hospital is filled with heroes, but I get to work with The Avengers every day that I walk into work. Sarah's superpowers include intelligence, composure, kindness, compassion, superhuman speed, and the ability to anticipate her patient's needs.  I couldn't do my job without teammates like Sarah. Having her as a teammate makes all of us better. 

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There have been countless situations where Sarah has gone above and beyond the traditional role of nursing, it is almost impossible to think of just one. She has exceptional skills in providing critical care to patients, especially in emergency situations. I have witnessed her stabilize a crashing patient while still ensuring that the family understands every part of the process. In addition, she goes above and beyond to support her teammates in the office. She is always the first to jump up and lend a hand or share her expertise. Sarah stands out for her ability to remain calm under pressure and constantly puts our patients and families first. I have witnessed her time and time again volunteer to take late, long-distance calls without a second thought or complaint about being held over her designated shift. Her dedication to serve the patient population of CHLA is unmatched, and I feel privileged to call her my teammate. 

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I have many stories of Sarah as both a clinician and a team member. One of many calls we went on together was for a "stable patient". The team was me, (RCP), Sarah (RN), and our two EMTs only. When we arrived at the outside hospital, that was not the case.  We had to immediately intervene to stabilize our patient while Sarah had to get the report from the outside hospital. She was multitasking at a high level before we even left the bedside with the patient.  While en route, we discussed our options of care/interventions that were best for our patient given the unstable environment.  During this, we came up with a plan and Sarah called ahead to our access center and spoke to the PICU while still providing immediate care, while we were driving code with lights and sirens. It was a very chaotic, tense, and urgent situation with our patient. Sarah was calm and clear in her thought process and was able to receive and give ideas for what we felt was the best option. We were able to get the patient safely to the PICU, where they were standing by waiting for us to receive the patient. I was very grateful to have Sarah on the call with me as she is one of the most experienced, intelligent team members/RN on this team. This is just one of many, many calls I have personally experienced with Sarah. 

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Sarah is an amazing nurse whom I have had the pleasure of working with on the transport team for many years. Recently, Sarah and I had a crazy shift that had two transports of extremely critical infants. Since the calls were so dire, we went together (a rarity on transport). Both transports involved tons of interventions to attempt to stabilize the babies for transport back to CHLA. Sadly, both infants coded and passed away at the outside hospital. The skill and speed with which Sarah worked to save these patients was incredible, and working with someone of her caliber improves everyone around her. This particular day, I also got to see how incredibly caring and compassionate Sarah is as she wrapped up the babies for the parents to hold one last time.  

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Sarah is an Emergency Transport RN.  She arrives at the patients' bedside at the worst possible moment for families coming to CHLA for treatment.  A newborn baby with a cardiac defect, a newly diagnosed brain tumor, or a trauma. Sarah always cares for these patients with compassion and expertise.  She assures the parents that their child is safe with her and her team.  

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I have been on several calls with Sarah as the physician when we have picked up critically ill children. She had great bedside manner with the families, explaining what was happening and providing a calming presence. In addition to her great communication with the families, she demonstrated her strong clinical skills, providing input to the management of these patients while providing high-quality care.

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Sarah is an amazing emergency transport nurse. She is always extremely calm and focused on calls, even with the most critically ill patients. She delivers care swiftly and with a precision that I am in awe of. I was once on a trip with her with a neonate with a cardiac defect. The baby being transported was stable, but their status was very tenuous. She was extremely worried about only having one working PIV in the baby. I witnessed her place a 24g PIV in a CARDIAC patient’s FOOT, in the back of a MOVING ambulance. That is a feat I don’t know if I’ll ever witness again in my career. If I'm on a call with a very sick child and she is with me, I know that we are bringing the best CHLA offers to a critically ill child in need of our care.