Get to Know: Sarah Lewis, Clinical Research Team
“I became interested in nursing because my mother was a nursing instructor. She served as a nursing instructor for a time at the Beebe School of Nursing,” said Sarah Lewis, BSN, RN, OCN, clinical research nurse coordinator for Beebe Oncology Services.
“When my mother passed away suddenly when I was young, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps.”
Sarah attended Beebe School of Nursing – now Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Healthcare – and then worked in the oncology and medical-surgical unit at the hospital. She went on to earn her bachelor degree in nursing from the University of Delaware. She also earned her oncology nursing certification. She now works with a group of research nurses that are part of the Beebe Oncology clinical research team.
“My aunt, who helped raise me after my mother passed, was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. My grandfather has also been treated for colon cancer. Both received exceptional care at Beebe’s Tunnell Cancer Center,” Sarah said. “It was because of their experience and the exceptional care by the team here that they both became cancer survivors.
“Because of their journey, I became interested in oncology and hematology as a career. I remember doing my rotations at Tunnell and thinking that being here with the staff and the patients felt like being with family.”
Sarah’s aunt had been part of a clinical trial for breast cancer offered through a partnership between Beebe and the National Cancer Institute National Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). This brought her interest to clinical research and helping breast cancer patients connect with clinical trials.
Sarah and the team of clinical research nurses meet with patients to discuss potential clinical trial opportunities. This can mean clinical trials that provide treatment options, as well as symptom management, and prevention opportunities. Patients can also participate in other studies that look at improving how cancer care is delivered throughout our community.
“When I meet with our patients who are walking through the journey of having breast cancer, I offer the advice my aunt has passed on to me, as she has walked through a similar journey,” Sarah said. “I tell our patients, ‘There may be a lot of information and opinions expressed throughout your journey. Remember, your journey will be your own. Listen to what your body is telling you. Listen to what your heart is telling you. Never forget that the most important voice is yours.’ As a caregiver, I promise to listen to your voice too.”