Sarah Marchena, B.S., M.S., serves as a physics assistant at Texas Center for Proton Therapy. Sarah reflects on what has been the most impactful part of working in the medical field and how she enjoys spending her free time outside of work.
1. Did you always know you wanted to work in the medical field?
Growing up, I was surrounded by nurses, so I knew early on that I would wind up in the medical field in some way. I attended a medical magnet high school with the goal of becoming a reconstructive plastic surgeon. In my senior year of high school, I took a physics class and loved it. I chose to major in physics in college to set myself aside from other pre-med students. During my senior year of undergrad, a new test program in medical physics launched and I was fortunate enough to take some classes. I ended up choosing to stay and pursue a master’s degree with a focus in medical physics.
2. If you could tell prospective patients one thing about proton therapy, what would it be?
The medical field is ever evolving, and as research progresses, scientists and doctors are able to treat patients in newer and less invasive ways. For some, the word “radiation” is scary. I think it is important to
research about proton therapy and standard radiation therapy to understand what treatment option is best for you.
3. What is your day-to-day role like working at Texas Center for Proton Therapy?
The most important parts of my job at the proton center are running quality assurance on every patient's treatment plan before their treatment starts, ensuring the machines are delivering the right dose where it needs to go, as well as monthly machine QA.
My daily tasks include running all patient QAs each night after treatments have finished for new patients, those with boosts, and any needing revisions to their treatment plans, monthly machine QA, maintaining the physics lab and associated equipment, calibration schedules, keeping QA records, and helping to monitor area and personnel dosimeters.
4. What has been the most impactful thing about working in the field of medicine?
Unfortunately, cancer has affected many close family members of mine, especially over the last five years. While I never expected to be in cancer care, it does hit closer to home for me. I am proud to be part of this team, playing an integral role through the testing of each treatment plan to ensure our patients are receiving the best care--as I hope those treating my own family are doing.
5. What do you like to do in your free time outside work?
Outside of work, you’ll find me hanging out with my husband and our cats. During the pandemic, I took up gardening and
continue to attempt to grow flowers, some fruit trees, and tomatoes. I also enjoy working on puzzles, reading, and traveling.
6. What are you regularly tuning into right now?
I normally have “The Big Bang Theory” or “Friends” on, but I also love watching television shows such as “Young Sheldon,” “Ghosts,” and “Not Dead Yet.”
7. Where is your favorite place you’ve ever visited?
That is a tough question. I am privileged to be the first born North American in my family. My mother is English, and my father was born in Peru but raised in France. We do not have family in the United States, so we travel often to see family. My husband also shares my love of travel and we have been blessed to go to many wonderful places. If I had to narrow it down to
a favorite place, I would have to say either Rome or Bora Bora.