03/23/2026
March is , a time to celebrate the team who works with medical teams and other hospital staff to make sure that patient needs and concerns are addressed and ongoing needs are met. For Sarah Pitman, a Pulmonology, Sleep Clinic and Transitional Care Unit (TCU) social worker, the role is defined by a commitment to long-term relationship building, acting as a steady presence for families navigating the often-overwhelming intersections of healthcare and systemic barriers.
The impact of this work is best seen through the lens of families like Chasity Nowlin’s. When Nowlin brought Sir Mack in for a pulmonology appointment, the medical team recognized that his asthma triggers weren't just medical - they were environmental. A failing air conditioner in their apartment was compromising his health, and the paperwork to fix it was stalled in a bureaucratic loop.
That was the moment Pitman stepped in. By providing the support and professional advocacy Nowlin needed, Pitman helped move the needle on a housing situation that was rapidly spiraling toward homelessness.
“I didn’t know I needed a social worker and I’m so glad I decided to reach out,” Nowlin said. “Sarah always understands the seriousness of my situations and provides help however I need.”
While doctors treat the symptoms, Pitman and the Cook Children’s Social Services team treat the environment, ensuring that when a child like 6-year-old Sir Mack leaves the clinic, he has a safe, stable place to recover. To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3uh5k94n
