Sara Donovan
Manager of access and engagement, Broadlawns Medical Center
Age: 29
Education: Ph.D. candidate, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Master of Public Health: epidemiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, Drake University
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Tell us four of your proudest accomplishments or accolades.
I plan and execute community resource fairs to connect Central Iowa residents with essential services, such as housing, transportation, food and employment, as well as no-cost preventive health services.
I was awarded a challenge coin from the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service for supporting the training and education of more than 2,000 officers on personal safety and security when deployed to environments with potential for high-consequence infectious disease exposure.
I lead Broadlawns Medical Center’s Interpreter Services Department and am chair for an interdisciplinary language access committee, promoting high-quality interpretive services for patients and their support systems.
I have established partnerships with local school districts and nonprofit organizations to increase youths’ awareness of and exposure to careers in health care.
What’s an experience or memory that influenced how you saw the world or what you wanted to do in life?
Growing up, I saw my mom transform patients’ lives as a physician and my dad improve systems as a health care administrator. Witnessing their individual and collective impact inspired me to pursue public health.
What’s one decision you made early in your career that had an outsized impact?
During graduate school, I identified a trusted mentor who has provided me with invaluable guidance and support spanning my personal, professional and educational pursuits.
What are your aspirations for the future?
I aspire to close gaps in health care access by addressing challenges related to the social drivers of health. All individuals, regardless of their circumstances, deserve high-quality care.
What are you still working on to improve as a leader?
I’m continually looking for ways to refine how I support my team members. I’ve learned that small improvements in communication or process can make a big difference in morale, efficiency and impact.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a young professional?
Seek out experiences that challenge you and expose you to perspectives different from your own. Don’t be afraid to learn as you go!
What’s one regular habit that’s made you successful?
I regularly reflect on how my work aligns with my values, which helps me stay focused, make intentional decisions and approach challenges with clarity and purpose.
What’s one outdated way of thinking that you’d like to challenge?
I’d like to challenge the idea that success follows a single, linear path.
What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?
I’d like Central Iowa leaders to treat food access as a core public health issue. Reliable access to nutritious food directly impacts health and wellness. Investing in food systems is an investment in community resilience.
What’s one fun fact about you?
I was born and raised in Lincoln, Neb., and am a proud Husker fan. Go Big Red!
Hobbies: Traveling domestically and abroad, needlepointing and gardening.
What is one word that best describes you?
Curious.
What’s one food you think people must try in the Des Moines area?
Drunken noodles from Lucky Lotus.
What’s the funniest or most surprising thing that’s happened to you recently?
While in Washington, D.C., I ran into a former colleague on the street outside of the National Portrait Gallery. We’re both from the Midwest and were only in D.C. for a few days. It really is a small world!
What’s your favorite tradition to participate in locally?
World Food & Music Festival.
What is your go-to snack?
Honey mustard pretzels.