“I’m thrilled to be back.”

Spotlight: Sarah Rusch, MS, PA-C

Sarah Rusch is a highly accomplished pediatric physician assistant with experience in Primary Care, Pediatric Head & Neck Surgery, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Pediatric Stem Cell transplant—but above all, she’s a devoted single mother. That role has guided many of her life and career decisions, always with her daughter’s well-being at heart.

After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, Sarah completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago. She then relocated in the South where she was privileged to be the first PA hired at Children’s Health in Plano, Texas, where she enjoyed private practice with a skilled Pediatric Otolaryngology team—just steps from her home.

In 2009, she returned to Minnesota where she spent nearly a decade at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital practicing Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy. Following the birth of her daughter, Sara made the heartfelt decision to return to her roots in the Lakes Area and joined Alomere Health at Alexandria Clinic, bringing her closer to her parents and family.

Then the pandemic hit. Like so many others, she faced concerns for her family’s health—especially with a daughter managing chronic respiratory symptoms. So, when the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) offered her a remote position, it was the right move for both career and family.

Today, with the pandemic behind us and her project work concluded with NMDP, Sarah is thrilled to return to Alomere and resume in-person care.

Sarah is passionate about expanding pediatric services—especially mental health support. “There’s such a growing need,” she says. “Kids and teens are coping with trauma, family stress, social stress—sometimes leading to thoughts of self-harm. Historically, there’s been such a stigma surrounding the conversation of mental health. If you have a brain, you have mental health and I’d love to normalize the conversation.”