by Vickie Jenkins, staff writer
For sixteen years, Sarah Goebel, RN, has been part of something extraordinary at the Oklahoma Proton Center in Oklahoma City. In fact, she was there before the doors officially opened. She was hired three months in advance to help prepare for what would become one of the most advanced cancer treatments in the region.
“It’s been amazing to watch this place grow,” Sarah said. “When I started proton therapy, it was still new to Oklahoma. Now, we’ve helped thousands of patients from all over the country. I feel fortunate to have been here since the beginning.”
The Proton Center specializes in radiation oncology, offering state-of-the-art proton therapy, a treatment known for its precision in targeting cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Sarah has worked in several hospitals during her 26 years as a nurse, but she says the Proton Center feels like home. “It’s smaller, more personal and very unique,” she explained. “You really get to know your patients and their families. The relationships we form here are special and lasting.”
Sarah’s journey into nursing began at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), where she earned her degree. Growing up in Oklahoma City, she never imagined she’d end up in oncology care. “When I was little, I wanted to be a professional wrestler or a mermaid,” she said with a laugh. “Things didn’t quite work out that way, but nursing turned out to be the perfect fit.”
Today she and her family live in Mustang, Oklahoma, where life is built with laughter, pets and purpose. Her two daughters, ages 17 and 21 have both inherited her caring spirit. “My oldest wants to work with children and my youngest has already said she wants to be a nurse,” Sarah said proudly. “ I think they’ve seen how rewarding this career can be.”
At the Proton Center, days are busy and full of meaning. Patients come from near and far, some as young as four months old, others well into their 90’s.” Each story is different,” she said thoughtfully, but the one thing they all have in common is courage. Our patients are amazing, and they inspire me every day. Working in a smaller, highly specialized facility requires a unique set of skills, and you have to be able to multitask and stay calm,” Sarah said. “You definitely need a good sense of humor. Sometimes, laughter really is the best medicine.”
Sarah also believes in constant learning and growth. “Medicine is always changing,” she added. “That’s one of the things I love most about nursing. There’s always something new to learn. I enjoy the challenge.”
The Proton Center operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Sarah and her team care for patients who arrive uncertain and often anxious, but soon find comfort in the center’s calm and caring atmosphere. “We have two receptionists, Tessa and Cheryl, they’re just the sweetest people,” she said. “They’re the first faces our patients see, and their kindness sets the tone for the entire visit.”
One of the most emotional moments at the Proton Center is when a patient completes treatment. “We still ring the bell, “ Sarah said with a smile. “It never gets old. You can see the joy on their faces. It’s a powerful moment for all of us.”
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Riley, a 120-pound bluetick hound. “Riley is like an old lady dog,”
she joked. “He’s slow, he snores, and he’s a little stubborn, but he’s my buddy.”
After more than two decades in nursing, Sarah says the career still challenges and inspires her every day. “The science behind proton therapy
is fascinating, but what really matters are the people,” she reflected. “You see patients walk in scared and you get to walk beside them through something that changes their life. That’s what nursing is all about, being there when it matters most.”
For Sarah, nursing isn’t just a profession, it’s a calling, rooted in compassion and connection. “A nurse never stops learning, and they never stop caring.” she said. “Every patient teaches us something new about medicine, about strength, and about hope.”
As she reflects on her years at the Oklahoma Proton Center, her gratitude is unmistakable. “I’ve seen patients improve, families grow closer, and fear turn into faith,” Sarah said. “It’s a privilege to be part of that journey.” At the end of each day, Sarah Goebel, RN, leaves, knowing she’s made a difference one patient, one smile, one ringing bell at a time.
