Methodist Hospital Spotlight: Sara Zilz, RN

Sara Zilz’s career with Methodist Hospitals spans nearly 25 years and includes diverse experiences involving both operational and medical functions. Currently, she serves as a nurse navigator in the hospital’s oncology department.

In this role, Zilz guides breast cancer patients and their families through the hospital system, its processes, and each patient’s individualized health plan. She sets up patients’ medical appointments, consultations, and any required imaging.

Zilz also educates patients and their families on breast cancer, including details related to side effects, medical terminology, treatment steps, etc., provides them with emotional support, and connects them with resources.

“I’m basically their go-to catch-all,” Zilz said. “I’m here for whatever they need. I will say that helping them navigate the system is my favorite aspect of my role because I’m able to help them directly with any challenges.”

The role can be both rewarding and challenging at the same time. It always brings joy to share a negative biopsy result.  However, when the biopsy is positive for cancer, the message is much harder to deliver.  Zilz works closely with each patient to navigate treatment options and to reassure that most cancers are survivable.

“After almost a decade in my role, telling a patient they are cancer-positive is still challenging every time,” she said. “It doesn’t matter the stage of the cancer or the age of the patient. It’s always tough.”

Methodist Hospitals is more than equipped to handle very aggressive cancer cases. A component of this is Methodist Hospitals’ smaller and more intimate setting.

“Part of what makes Methodist Hospitals so wonderful to work for is our size,” Zilz said. “All things considered, it is on the smaller side which means we can offer patients much more individualized care. Our bedside manner is top-notch.”

Before her time in oncology, Zilz worked in Methodist Hospitals’ orthopedic division as a nurse. Her focus areas were hips and knees. While Zilz is more on the operational side now as a nurse navigator, she still leans on her experience as an active nurse.

“When my patients go into surgery, I’m able to draw from my nursing background and verbally prepare them for what it will entail,” Zilz said.

Care and compassion are key in Zilz’s role.

“Your heart definitely has to be in the right place,” she said. “Both the families and the patient are going through a difficult time.”

While neither Zilz nor any family members have personally battled breast cancer, she went into the nurse navigator role with a passion for educating women about breast health and breast cancer. For those who have not had breast cancer, Zilz emphasizes the importance of preventative breast care.

“Make sure you get your mammograms every year,” she said. “Early detection is critical, as it facilitates early treatment, which leads to better outcomes.  At Methodist Hospitals, we are very good at getting these patients in as quickly as possible because we believe so much in the benefits of early detection.”

To schedule a mammogram at Methodist Hospitals, one can call the hospitals’ central scheduling at (219) 981-5440. A doctor’s order is not required.