Sara Jo Mahoney, NP

About Sara Mahoney

At age 17, Sara Mahoney worked in a nursing home. This experience secured her decision to pursue a career in medicine. More than two decades ago, she took a job at Memorial Hospital of South Bend, where she worked as a patient care assistant. “Beacon has always felt like family to me,” she says.” Over the years, Sara has worked in the emergency room; in cardiac, stroke, heart and vascular care; as a case manager; and, has taught at the college level.

As a nurse practitioner, she works with psychiatrists to assess, diagnose and treat psychiatric patients. The field of psychiatry became her focus after working at Epworth Center. “I realized my true passion lies with making a difference for those who face stigma with mental health and lack a positive support system or proper resources to assist them in managing their illness,” she says.

Not only is she the first person in her family to choose a career in medicine, she is a first-generation college graduate, earning her …undergraduate and master’s degrees from IU South Bend. Her training taught her to always remain honest and humble.

Sara hopes her patients understand that she is extremely passionate about supporting them in every way possible, whether it’s a listening ear, providing resources, treatment, or advocating in ways they are unable to for themselves, she says.

In her own words…

Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life?  My maternal grandmother. She taught me cooking, gardening, canning – many skills I continue to use today.

What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  I was a bagger at Kroger. I loved helping the eldering out with their food, always appreciating the wisdom they’d share.

What is your favorite food? Movie? What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up?  I love sushi.  My favorite movie is The Age of Adaline.  My favorite subject in school was science/math (luckily for this field of work!)  My worst subject was English

If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why?  My brother, who was nine years older than me. He lived 13 years as a quadriplegic after an accident at age 19. He taught me to appreciate life despite what cards you are dealt and encouraged me to follow a career in serving others.

In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? What are your hobbies, interests?  My husband, daughter and son. I love camping, traveling and antiquing.

What is something most people don’t know about you?  My first career plan was to be a forensic scientist/forensic anthropologist – until I worked my first day in health care, of course! Now the ID channel (Investigation Discovery) will suffice.