SARA DOWNIE
Madison Metropolitan School District
Madison,WI
1
Certification
35
years of professional experience
Professional registered nurse with strong clinical skills across the life spectrum. Known for teamwork, adaptability, and delivering measurable outcomes in fast-paced environments. Expertise in health assessments, patient education, and EMR charting complemented by a compassionate approach emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance patient care and support. Committed to maintaining exceptional standards in healthcare delivery for diverse populations, consistently prioritizing quality and efficiency in all aspects of practice.
Work History
School Nurse
1 Year 11 Months- Managed health office operations, including performing triage, administration of medication and first aid, complex case management, and supervision of nursing assistant to ensure compliance with health regulations.
- Monitored ongoing medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes, adjusting care plans accordingly to maintain optimal student wellness levels.
- Developed individualized healthcare plans in collaboration with parents and healthcare providers.
- Conducted school-wide hearing and vision screenings and assessments, identifying potential health issues for timely intervention.
- Managed immunization compliance within the school population to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address complex health needs within the school community.
- Taught Human Growth and Development units for 4th & 5th grade.
- Led emergency response team, overseeing AED readiness and conducting safety drills.
Maternal Child Health Services Manager
3 Years 4 Months- Led maternal child health strategic planning to establish actionable program goals and enhance patient care services.
- Collaborated with clinical teams to develop and implement health service delivery strategies.
- Championed the Dane County Health Council ConnectRx Program, improving support services for our Black and African American prenatal & postpartum patients.
- Streamlined postpartum follow-up for hypertensive disorders by collaborating with UnityPoint Health-Meriter's home BP monitoring.
- Pioneered an online texting follow-up system to improve communication with patients.
- Cultivated a successful partnership with Roots4Change Latinx Doulas, promoting increased access to care for Latina patients.
Prenatal Program Manager
9 Years- Directly supervised maternal-infant health staff (RNs, Lactation Consultants, Childbirth Education Instructors, Health Benefits/Referrals staff).
- Partnered with UW Midwifery to provide patient-led, Prenatal Group Medical Visits with high patient satisfaction (CenteringPregnancy model).
- Facilitated monthly OB provider-manager meetings to uphold high clinical care standards and improve interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Introduced lactation services through a pilot program, enhancing patient access and support based on data evaluation.
- Implemented clinic-based OB Ultrasound and Fetal Non-Stress Testing.
- Streamlined prenatal program data collection, analysis, and reporting processes using Microsoft Access Database, improving accuracy, usability and compliance with federal standards.
Prenatal Program Coordinator
5 Years- Supervised prenatal RN staff, ensuring high-quality patient care and adherence to protocols.
- Designed literacy-friendly prenatal/postpartum educational materials. Revised and updated these materials every few years afterwards through 2024.
- Developed and taught community-based childbirth classes in English and Spanish, enhancing prenatal education and support for diverse populations.
- Initiated Microsoft Excel-based prenatal data tracking system, improving internal quality assurance and facilitating compliance with federal reporting requirements.
Triage and Prenatal RN
9 Years- Provided direct patient care in a multidisciplinary, primary care clinic.
- Delivered bilingual triage services via phone and walk-in, including injections, IVs, wound care, screenings, vitals, communicable disease treatment, education, reporting, and Spanish interpretation to enhance patient access and understanding.
- Conducted bilingual prenatal intake visits, performing history-taking, assessments, education, and referrals to ensure comprehensive care for expectant mothers.
- Trained and coordinated volunteer and staff RNs for prenatal intake establishing consistent delivery of quality care.
- Precepted UW School of Nursing students for community health clinicals for 10 years.
Staff RN
1 Year- Administered medications and treatments in adherence to established protocols and best practices.
- Educated patients on reproductive health, contraception options, and preventive care strategies.
Staff RN
3 Years- Staff nurse and nursing team lead on adult inpatient units B6/6 (Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplant/Renal & Diabetes) and F4/5 (Cardiology), ensuring high-quality patient care and effective unit operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
- UW-Madison School of Nursing Distinguished Student and Service Award
- Nina S. Malone Scholarship
Skills
Health education
Case management
Care coordination
Epic EHR super user
CPR/AED Certified
Staff training
Microsoft Excel
Fluency in Spanish
Critical thinking
Attention to detail
Verbal and written communication
Compassionate care
Certification
- Certified Lactation Consultant (2007-2021)
- Office Nurse Breastfeeding Champion Certification (2014)
- Madison Magazine’s Favorite Nurses Award (2012)
Timeline
School Nurse
Madison Metropolitan School District
09.2024 - CurrentRead More
Maternal Child Health Services Manager
Access Community Health Centers
05.2021 - 09.2024Read More
Prenatal Program Manager
Access Community Health Centers
01.2012 - 01.2021Read More
Prenatal Program Coordinator
Access Community Health Centers
01.2007 - 01.2012Read More
Triage and Prenatal RN
Access Community Health Centers
01.1998 - 01.2007Read More
Staff RN
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
01.1996 - 01.1997Read More
Staff RN
University of Madison Hospital and Clinics
01.1992 - 01.1995Read More
UW-Madison School of Nursing
Bachelor of Science from Nursing
Read More
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER WORK
Coordinated & led Covid-19 Vaccination Outreach Clinics with community partners (2021 & 2022)., Board Member, Breastfeeding Coalition of South-Central Wisconsin (2010-2015): assisted with annual symposium, awards, awareness, educational seminars, and 501c3 transition., Provided biannual educational presentations on healthcare for teens aging out of foster care in collaboration with DHS of Dane County (1999-2011)., Health Volunteer, Pokara, Nepal (April-May, 1998): taught basic first aid/hygiene to clinic health aides via British Child Welfare Scheme NGO.