05/13/2026
We Spy Alumni! Meet MSU PAS Class of 2004 alum Sarah Fast in this inspiring CoxHealth spotlight.
At CoxHealth, we are fortunate to have incredible colleagues across our system. They are people who make our organization a better place to be every day and who continually strive to improve the experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
Sarah Fast, a physician assistant at Ozark Primary Care, is one of those people.
Sarah began her CoxHealth journey 30 years ago in the dispatch center while attending EMT school. Her time as an EMT sparked a deeper desire to know more than what happened in those critical moments of emergency care.
βI always knew that once I got the patient to the hospital, I wanted to know what happened next,β Sarah says. βI wanted to know more about them, their outcome and their story.β
While completing her undergraduate studies, an advisor suggested she consider becoming a physician assistant.
βI didnβt even know what a PA was at the time,β she says with a smile. βBut it made sense. I wanted more of a relationship with patients β to follow their journey and truly be part of their care.β
Now, after 21 years as a PA in family practice, Sarah says those long-term connections are exactly what keeps her passionate about her work.
βWhat keeps me in family practice is the relationship with patients,β she says. βSeeing patients, seeing their kids grow up, and realizing how much of an impact you can make in such a short amount of time. Thatβs everything to me.β
For Sarah, the most rewarding moments come when patients feel seen, heard and cared for like family.
βThatβs how Iβve always tried to practice,β she says. βI treat my patients as if they were my own family. It makes it worth it every time they express gratitude or say, βNo one has ever listened to me this way before.β Sometimes they come in hurting or overwhelmed, and when they come back feeling better and happier. Thatβs incredibly meaningful.β
Sarahβs approach to care goes beyond treating physical symptoms. She takes time to understand the circumstances of her patientsβ daily lives and how those challenges affect their overall well-being. Many of her patients are older adults navigating age-related changes, and she often helps guide them through difficult transitions.
βItβs the little things I love to do β things that arenβt necessarily part of my job description,β she says. βThose things always surprise them.β
She recalls a recent patient who had just transitioned from independent living into living fully on her own.
βShe realized she didnβt think she could do it,β Sarah says. βI connected her with one of our former employees who loves working with the elderly to explore assisted-living options. It took a huge amount of stress off her shoulders just knowing what her options were.β
That compassion creates space for patients to open up, allowing Sarah to understand the full picture of their lives. Some patients apologize for taking too much time during appointments, but Sarah reassures them that those conversations are essential.
βIn family practice, you have to pull the information out,β she says. βSome people are very forthcoming, and others need time and the right questions. You learn how to communicate in a way that helps you put all the pieces together.β
Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. Sarah was recently recognized by a patient who submitted a comment praising her care.
βSarah is a wonderful, caring PA,β the note read. βShe always takes time for my needs and concerns. She gives such a personal experience, like Iβm a family member. Iβve had many providers over the years, and she is the best of them all.β
Reflecting on the message, Sarah says it serves as a reminder of why she does what she does.
βIt gives back what I try so hard to give my patients,β she says. βI want them to know they were truly listened to. Sometimes patients have to wait a little longer because Iβm doing for the person ahead of them exactly what I would do for them if they were having a hard day. Itβs very humbling.β
Sarah also shares her philosophy with her colleagues, encouraging staff to remember the humanity behind every appointment.
βI remind them that yes, we all have jobs to do,β she says. βBut these patients are someoneβs grandparent, parent, sibling, aunt or uncle.β
For Sarah, CoxHealth isnβt just where she works β itβs where she belongs.
βIβm blessed to be at this clinic,β she says. βFrom leadership to the person who cleans at night, I couldnβt ask for a better organization to work for. We donβt just treat our patients like family β we treat each other that way, too.β
