Sara Nitz, RRT, Respiratory Care Educator

"Shortly after my grandfather became sick, I learned what a respiratory therapist was. He had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At the end of his life, I was fortunate enough to care for him, and that is where my passion for respiratory therapy began.

It was 1997, and I was 22 years old when I began my career as a Registered Respiratory Therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital. Immediately following my externship, I was offered a position. It was complicated. At the time, there was a hiring freeze, so I worked part-time at St. Luke’s and part-time at Bay Medical. I quickly learned about all the opportunities and resources available for respiratory therapists at St. Luke’s, and it felt like home. As soon as a full-time position was available, I took it.

The support I had from my peers was invaluable. I was a sponge, and I wanted to learn everything I possibly could. The education they provided from their shared experience is a fundamental part of the respiratory therapist I’ve become.

I quickly realized I enjoyed working in the emergency room. Back then, there were two tiny ERs—one at St. Luke’s and another at Saginaw General—which, ironically, is where our Respiratory Care offices are now located.

Today, we have a 65-bed Emergency Care Center specializing in pediatric and senior care with Level II trauma capabilities. It is substantially larger than the two old emergency rooms combined. In the past, we carried a pager and would travel back and forth to the ER when Respiratory Care was needed. Today, there are both primary and backup respiratory therapists dedicated to the ER to serve the patients when needed.

I worked the night shift for 12 years—it was quiet. You had more time to give to patients at night because you weren’t chasing them around between tests or trying to beat the breakfast or lunch trays. Many of my patients couldn’t sleep and just wanted someone to talk to—and I always liked to listen."

Pictured: Sara Nitz, RRT Holding Photo of Grandparents

"Respiratory care has come a long way since I started at St. Luke’s in 1997. Back then, our equipment was far simpler, and our crew was much smaller.

At Covenant HealthCare, we’ve progressed from taking orders to being protocol driven. As part of the care team, we use our expertise to assess and treat patients, write orders and develop a patient’s plan of care with therapy-driven protocols. Our Respiratory Therapy department has grown from only a few pieces of equipment to the most comprehensive and technologically advanced in our region. It's amazing. The therapies, procedures, and equipment we have now enable us to treat sicker patients more effectively.

Fifteen years ago, I discovered my true passion as a respiratory therapist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Respiratory care plays a significant role in the NICU.

The NICU Transport team at Covenant HealthCare covers 11 counties in the state of Michigan. Being a member of this team is a privilege that is hard-earned and maintained by continuing education. When I travel with nurses by ambulance or helicopter to pick up neonates in need of a higher level of care, it often feels like I have a little cape on—like we’re running in to save the world. Truthfully, I’m just doing what I love."

Pictured: Sara Nitz, RRT in Flight Suit for NICU Transport Team

"I remember the anticipation of what they were going to name the newly merged hospital. That was a big deal at that time. I liked the name Covenant HealthCare—it has a good meaning behind it. The merger between St. Luke’s and Saginaw General was scary at first because there were a lot of unknowns, and not everyone is comfortable with change.

By combining two very good small teams, we made one large, extraordinary team, and the community benefited. We are now all focused on one mission together.

Merging the two Respiratory Care departments was challenging. If you were assigned your next shift at the hospital you were less familiar with, it was intimidating. In the beginning, I wanted to stay at my ‘home hospital’ with the team I knew at St. Luke’s. Now, I spend about 90% of my time at our Harrison campus, formerly Saginaw General, and I couldn't imagine it any other way.

The construction of the Skywalk that connected St. Luke’s and Saginaw General was symbolic. It physically linked our two campuses, and it felt like our team was born. Fast forward 26 years from when I was first hired, our department has come a long way, and I feel like I've played a significant role in the growth of Respiratory Care at Covenant.

I currently serve as our Respiratory Care Educator. I started out as the educator for our Neonatal Unit, but now my duties have expanded to neonatal, pediatrics, adult, and critical care in the Emergency Department. I love teaching. It has been surreal to see 20 years’ worth of Delta College students studying respiratory therapy rotating through our hospital system, all of whom I've been able to mentor and help grow.

There's always something new to learn and to teach… that’s why I love my job."

Pictured: Sara Nitz, RRT