Sara (Devitt) Bliss ‘03 is a Pediatric Cardiology ICU Physician Assistant at Mount Sinai Medical Center. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from the College of the Holy Cross in English and Pre-Med. Sara completed an academic internship program during her senior year where she worked with both a plastic surgeon and a physician assistant. Sara decided to pursue a career as a physician assistant and completed the PA program at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. She then began her career at Mount Sinai, where she has been for the past six years. Sara recently spent three weeks in Vietnam on a medical mission trip lead by a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Khan Nguyen. She was part of a multi-faceted team of pediatric
cardiac specialists that enabled the successful completion and post-operative management of sixteen pediatric cardiac surgeries on patients with a variety of heart anomalies.
1) How did Kellenberg Memorial shape who you are today?
I have so much love for Kellenberg Memorial and my time spent there. My time was spent mostly studying and running. I ran cross country, as well as winter and spring track, all of which were coached by the infamous Mr. Martin Brown. Some of my best memories of high school were spent in the bus driving to meets and spending time with friends as part of this amazing team with the best coach and dad a girl could ask for!
2) What motivated you to travel to Vietnam to take part in a medical mission trip?
When the surgeon I worked with asked me to be a part of his Vietnam team, I think I said yes before he finished speaking. I love my patients and being presented with an opportunity to help children, who otherwise would not have access to these surgeries, I knew I was going to be a part of something truly special. The doctors, nurses, patients, and families I met in Vietnam forever changed my heart. Caring for patients after open heart surgery and witnessing the strength of these little warriors and the love of their families is unexplainable.
3) How did Kellenberg prepare you intellectually and spiritually for the challenges that you face in your demanding career?
Kellenberg provided me with a strong academic foundation in science, research, and communication while instilling me the importance of my Catholic faith that helps guide me through difficult shifts and crisis situations in an ICU setting.