I'm Sara Rasmussen. I'm a pediatric surgeon and a transplant surgeon at the University of Virginia. 

I got into medicine probably because of my father, who was an internal medicine physician in Morgantown, West Virginia.

It led me into surgery and also, then because of my background in research, ultimately transplant surgery and pediatric surgery.

I would say my care philosophy, a drive from having grown up watching how my father was with his patients and now how I am as a parent, and the most important part of that philosophy for me is just making sure that the patient and the family are as comfortable with what's going on as possible. 

I want them to know that I'm going to be there every step of the way no matter what happens.

The pediatric surgery team at UVA is comprised of three surgeons and two nurses, as well as a team of residents that we work with. We see patients in the outpatient setting in the Battle Building as well as in the hospital. We see patients in the pediatric intensive care unit as well as the neonatal intensive care unit and the acute care wards.

The innovative spirit at UVA is the reason why so many things are possible here that aren't possible at other institutions, and that's probably the biggest reason why I cherish being here now.