News

Sarah Drew Honored as Recipient of Vail Health Elevate Award

Senior director of emergency and trauma services nominated for exceptional care

Sarah Drew, MSN, FNP-C, ENP-C, Senior Director of Emergency and Trauma Services at Vail Health, has been named the recipient of the Vail Health Elevate Award. Vail Health created the Elevate Award in June 2022 to give patients and their families an opportunity to nominate and thank employees who have touched their lives in some way. 
 
Coming from a family of nurses, including her mom, dad and brother, Drew graduated from Loma Linda University and has always had a passion for caring for others. Drew first joined Vail Health in 2013 as a seasonal Emergency Department nurse when she moved to the valley to be closer to her brother, Joe Drew, currently a behavioral health provider at Vail Health, and his family. After a travel nursing stint in Alaska, she returned for the 2014 season and later became the trauma program manager for Vail Health before being promoted to Emergency Department director. In 2021, Drew graduated with her master's degree from Vanderbilt and is dual board certified as an Emergency and Family nurse practitioner. 
 
Drew was nominated by Rita Battaglini of Brigantine, NJ, for the exceptional care she provided as a PA at urgent care during Battaglini’s visit to Vail. 
 
“I travelled to Vail for a family wedding and never expected that I would need to be seen in urgent care the day prior to the wedding,” said Battaglini. “The care I received from Sarah was truly spectacular. Her knowledge and compassion came through. She was quickly able to ascertain what my problem was and provided such efficient care.” 
 
Battaglini has been an oncology nurse for 40 years and now lives at sea level on the East Coast. 
 
“I have no experience with altitude sickness. Because of Sarah's care, I was able to get a quick diagnosis and appropriate care,” she said. “She also was able to provide such compassion and reassurance that allowed me to enjoy the rest of my holiday. I may not have been in the urgent care for long, but her care, teamwork, and professionalism will stay with me for such a long time. I am so thankful for her care." 
  
The Elevate Award directly aligns with Vail Health’s mission of elevating health across our mountain communities. Past Elevate Award winners include: Erin Perejda, a supportive care services manager and licensed clinical social worker at Vail Health Shaw Cancer Center, June 2022; Susan Vickerman, MD, a family medicine physician at Colorado Mountain Medical, August 2022; Meghan Gallegos, a Howard Head Sports Physical Therapist, December 2022; Allie Morgan, a Patient Care Unit Registered Nurse, April 2023; Christi Sewell, RN, OCN in the Patient Care Unit, June 2023; Jacey Hagen, a labor and delivery nurse in the Family Birth Center, September 2023; Joe Drew, a nurse practitioner at Vail Health Behavioral Health, December 2023; Scott McCorvey, MD, a doctor in the Vail Health Emergency Department doctor, March 2024; Elie Sabins, a physical therapist with Howard Head Sports Medicine, May 2024; Maria Sullivan, a post-op registered nurse at Vail Health, Sept 2024; Melissa Cordova, an admissions rep at the Sonnenalp Breast Center, December 2024; Jenna Jacobs, a post-op registered nurse at Vail Health, March 2025; Pamela Goldsten, a physical therapist at Vail Health Howard Head Sports Medicine, June 2025; Cass Barham and Sarah Crabtree, both lab techs at Vail Health Hospital, September 2025. 
 
Patients and family members are encouraged to nominate staff who made a meaningful difference in their health care experience. Nominees can work in any area of the Vail Health healthcare system, including admissions, laboratory, surgery centers, Howard Head Sports Medicine, Shaw Cancer Center, Colorado Mountain Medical, Vail Health Behavioral Health, and more. 
 
To nominate Vail Health, Colorado Mountain Medical, Vail Health Behavioral Health, Howard Head Sports Medicine and Shaw Cancer Center staff, visit www.VailHealth.org/ElevateAward.