UPHS – Portage Heroes | Sara Zellner, CMA

What is your role at UPHS – Portage?

I'm a certified medical assistant in Internal Medicine.

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?

When I was 9 years old, a friend and I were in a severe car accident, which left us in the hospital in Duluth, MN, for the summer. Fortunately, I had an amazing team of providers who took very good care of me. Ever since then, I knew that I wanted to work in the healthcare field. 

What's a typical day like for you? What is it like working in this field?

Busy! We have at least 4 providers in Internal Medicine and can see many patients a day. I usually room the patient when they first get here, report to the provider, and help discharge patients when needed. Some days are busier than others, but I never get bored.

How long have you been employed here? Have you always been in the same position?

I have been an employee for a little over a year. I have been in the same position the entire time.

What are some of the big changes you have experienced in this position?  

I love spending time with my family! My husband and I love going camping with our 10-year-old son and Basset Hound, Darla. We bought our first home recently and we are really looking forward to putting work into it this summer. I love to garden, watch movies, go for walks, go to the beach, coloring, hiking, going to our family cabin in the Porcupine Mountains, and just relaxing. 

What do you enjoy most about working at UPHS – Portage?

I absolutely love helping our patients to feel better! Watching a patient go from being very ill to healthy again is amazing to see. All of our patients are great. Being able to come back to the UP and give great healthcare service is something I love doing daily. I really enjoy my job and hope that our patients know they are in good hands when they see us.