![Sarah](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/40ef7797-2cb9-4083-a73d-e7b9864093de/sarah-atkins?width=1200&height=619&ext=.jpg&uh=23b88740ae70daec31ca5d1be26e012cbbb787ca37940e140dfe2c344b35026e&administrationdomain=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
Jun 15, 2020 / Neurology
Get to Know our Staff: Sarah Atkins, Neurology
What is your role at Scottish Rite for Children?
I am the nurse coordinator for Dr. Christie's neurology clinic as well as the intrathecal baclofen (ITB) nurse coordinator with Dr. Reyes. You can find me in clinic about three days a week or in our office calling patient families, coordinating procedures/appointments, following up on orders, sending refills etc. I also thoroughly enjoy planning events and gatherings for our department.
What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
That we go above and beyond for our patients and families to make sure they are receiving the very best care for their diagnoses, regardless of their ability to pay.
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
I worked the nightshift at Baylor Medical Center Downtown on the neurology floor, working with mainly stroke and seizure patients for four years. I was recently married and looking for a change of pace, when my best friend told me about an opening in the Neurology department at Scottish Rite. I have now been here for three years and couldn’t be happier.
What’s the coolest or most interesting thing you’re working on right now?
Working during COVID-19 has definitely proven to be very interesting. Navigating telemedicine has been well worth it, especially when we hear from families telling us how much they appreciate it. Right now, I’m working on coordinating a few intrathecal baclofen pump trials. Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pumps are a cool therapy option that I never knew about before coming here. ITB is a medication that helps decrease spasticity caused by damage to the brain or spinal cord. It is a long-term therapy that works by delivering small amounts of medication directly into the space surrounding the spinal cord, or intrathecal space. By delivering the medication directly into the intrathecal space, the side effects of baclofen are reduced and less is needed. Typically, ITB therapy is discussed when spasticity does not respond to oral (by mouth) baclofen, or when oral baclofen is causing unwanted side effects.
What are you currently watching on Netflix/Hulu/TV/etc.?![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/d6e8ef1e-d4a1-461c-a2a1-529fa59a8b6d/sarah-atkins-LEE_5563A.jpg?width=255&height=170&uh=240925f26e90f6e66c65665ef020dd1f28bbc462a5f2aaf2aea1d5b6c2be44fa&administrationdomain=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
The silver lining to no sports right now is that my husband will watch all the HGTV shows with me! I love Home Town, Property Brothers and House Hunters International.
What would be the most amazing adventure to go on?
I would love to go to Italy, France and Greece.
What are some small things that make your day better?
Seeing our patients and hearing that they’re getting better, my awesome coworkers and the frozen yogurt in the cafeteria.
What is special about the place you grew up?
I grew up in East Dallas and I love it! I love the charm of old houses and neighborhoods. I love the lake and enjoy all the great food from restaurants that aren’t chains.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Sit on the deck in my backyard with a cold beverage, my husband and our 8-month-old chocolate lab puppy, Muddy.
I am the nurse coordinator for Dr. Christie's neurology clinic as well as the intrathecal baclofen (ITB) nurse coordinator with Dr. Reyes. You can find me in clinic about three days a week or in our office calling patient families, coordinating procedures/appointments, following up on orders, sending refills etc. I also thoroughly enjoy planning events and gatherings for our department.
What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
That we go above and beyond for our patients and families to make sure they are receiving the very best care for their diagnoses, regardless of their ability to pay.
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
I worked the nightshift at Baylor Medical Center Downtown on the neurology floor, working with mainly stroke and seizure patients for four years. I was recently married and looking for a change of pace, when my best friend told me about an opening in the Neurology department at Scottish Rite. I have now been here for three years and couldn’t be happier.
What’s the coolest or most interesting thing you’re working on right now?
Working during COVID-19 has definitely proven to be very interesting. Navigating telemedicine has been well worth it, especially when we hear from families telling us how much they appreciate it. Right now, I’m working on coordinating a few intrathecal baclofen pump trials. Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pumps are a cool therapy option that I never knew about before coming here. ITB is a medication that helps decrease spasticity caused by damage to the brain or spinal cord. It is a long-term therapy that works by delivering small amounts of medication directly into the space surrounding the spinal cord, or intrathecal space. By delivering the medication directly into the intrathecal space, the side effects of baclofen are reduced and less is needed. Typically, ITB therapy is discussed when spasticity does not respond to oral (by mouth) baclofen, or when oral baclofen is causing unwanted side effects.
What are you currently watching on Netflix/Hulu/TV/etc.?
![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/d6e8ef1e-d4a1-461c-a2a1-529fa59a8b6d/sarah-atkins-LEE_5563A.jpg?width=255&height=170&uh=240925f26e90f6e66c65665ef020dd1f28bbc462a5f2aaf2aea1d5b6c2be44fa&administrationdomain=https%3A%2F%2Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
The silver lining to no sports right now is that my husband will watch all the HGTV shows with me! I love Home Town, Property Brothers and House Hunters International.
What would be the most amazing adventure to go on?
I would love to go to Italy, France and Greece.
What are some small things that make your day better?
Seeing our patients and hearing that they’re getting better, my awesome coworkers and the frozen yogurt in the cafeteria.
What is special about the place you grew up?
I grew up in East Dallas and I love it! I love the charm of old houses and neighborhoods. I love the lake and enjoy all the great food from restaurants that aren’t chains.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Sit on the deck in my backyard with a cold beverage, my husband and our 8-month-old chocolate lab puppy, Muddy.