We are pleased to present the next in our weekly series introducing you to Internal Medicine’s Advanced Practice Providers. In addition to sharing information about where they work in the department, we asked them each to tell us a little bit about their “Why” (the sustaining pull for their work) and what relaxes them. (Read previous weeks’ installments.)

Sara Kraus, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC
Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine

Services: Pulmonary Clinic at IRL, Lung Cancer Screening Program

Years with Internal Medicine: 7 years

Specialty or service I almost chose instead of this one: Family Medicine

One of my favorite moments in this job: I am fortunate to work with a fantastic group of physicians and nurses who are actively engaged in academic medicine. We are able to introduce novel therapies to our patients which can be life-changing. It is very rewarding to have patients with asthma, who have struggled for years to gain control, come back to clinic after beginning advanced biologic medications and report how they are able to participate in activities they never dreamed of doing.

What restores me for the work: I really enjoy traveling out of the country. I love seeing new places, trying new foods, and getting to experience other cultures first-hand. I try to combine my passion for travel with my love of cooking and enjoy bringing back new recipes to try out on friends and family. It helps extend the memories past the actual vacation!

Sara is quite literally the glue that holds our clinic and team together. Our clinic operates at a high level of evidence-based practice and patient care because of her. In addition, she is an incredible advocate for nursing and understands the valuable role that support staff add to the efficiency of a well-run clinic. Patients are lucky to have her as their provider!

– – Kellie Steffen, RN

Read what patients say about her:

• I love Sara!!! She is caring and helpful and awesome!!!
• Sara Kraus is a model of dedicated, trustworthy, whole being patient care. She discusses optional treatment products or strategies which could be considered, is extremely empathetic to the patient’s needs and desires, and is both overwhelmingly thorough as well as confidence-building by her humility. This professional is emblematic of the high standard of care which UIHC aspires to.
• Sara is the best. Professional, caring, and knowledgeable.
• I feel deeply understood and cared for by Sara. She truly does want to find good solutions to my problems. I felt that we decided on my treatment together. Over the years, she has shown me how to deal with my lungs in an easy way.
• Sara K is excellent
• Sara Kraus is the best, most patient, most knowledgeable healthcare provider I’ve had the pleasure to visit.
• Love Sara as my provider. She is excellent in every category and manner.
• Sara Kraus is always great! One or my favorite Medical providers. Always listening, very caring, and rapid response to emails through mychart. A++