Sarah Parker, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, got her first direct exposure to neurological injuries as a high school student, after her brother suffered a mild traumatic brain injury. His altered state, disrupted memory and long but productive road to recovery fascinated Parker, who eventually joined our neurology unit in Duke University Hospital. Several years and a master’s degree later, Parker is rejoining neurology in a dual role that combines research and clinical work in our ALS Clinic on Morreene Road. For this week’s Spotlight interview, Parker talks to us about her new position, why she enjoys neurology, and the joys of “little wins” with her patients.
The Duke ALS Clinic Welcome to the Neurology Department! What roles and responsibilities are you taking on within the ALS clinic?
I am a nurse practitioner with the ALS Clinic on Morreene Road. I have a unique, dual role. Half of my time will be spent as a research coordinator and sub-investigator for ALS clinical trials. The other half of my time will be as a provider in the clinic, managing established ALS patients. I’m excited to be a member of the incredible ALS team.
What were you doing before you came to the ALS Clinic?
Before coming to the ALS Clinic, I was working as a bedside nurse at Duke University Hospital. I started my nursing career on 8 West (now 2DCT) and moved to the Transfer Center last year while I was finishing my MSN program at Duke University School of Nursing. I’m very happy to be back in Neurology!
How and when did you first get interested in clinical care? What drew you to neurology and patients with ALS in particular?
I love helping people, I always have. I remember being interested in medicine at a young age. I first became interested in neurology when I was in high school. My brother suffered a mild traumatic brain injury. The morning after his injury, which he did not tell us about, he was quite altered. I remember checking his pupils and asking him memory questions that morning, and periodically after he was diagnosed. His road to recovery was long and very inspiring. I was fascinated by his presentation and duration of symptoms. I did my own research so I could better understand what was going on and what to expect next.
I took that love of learning with me to my first job as a nurse on 8 West. I would spend hours researching unfamiliar conditions. I must have asked the team a million questions when we rounded on a patient that had an interesting disease or an unusual presentation. I am very appreciative of Dr. Luedke, Dr. Graffagnino, Dr. Shah, Dr. Mayberry, Mary Guhwe and Sue Chioffi for always taking time to teach me and answer my questions.
The ALS Clinic is a perfect fit given my love of learning and research. ALS is a disease with more questions than answers. Patients can have variable presentations and wildly different disease courses. No two patients are the same. I can’t wait to contribute to the body of knowledge and work on some potential new therapies.
In your DukeHealth profile you discuss working holistically with patients to help them find their treatment goals and plans. What are some ways that clinicians and patients with ALS in particular can cooperate in this area, and how do patients benefit from this?
As I mentioned before, no two ALS patients are alike. Goals of care and what’s most important to the patient and their loved ones will vary greatly. It’s so important to partner with the patient and include them every step of the way. If we don’t, we run the risk of losing their trust, missing important clinical information, and missing the little wins that happen between visits. I’m a big believer in celebrating the little wins throughout the day. I enjoyed doing this as a bedside nurse and am looking forward to doing this with my patients in clinic. It helps me stay present and focused on what’s most important to my patient.
What are you most looking forward to once the COVID-19 pandemic is over?
I am really looking forward to seeing my friends and family that live out of state. I haven’t seen most of them since my wedding at the end of 2019.
What other passions or hobbies do you have outside of the Department?
I love reading, traveling, trying out new recipes, and going to car shows with my husband.
Above, Parker enjoys a hike near the Eno river with her husband, and below, a trip to England with her siblings and father.
