10 Questions With: City Councilor Sarah Cole

10 Questions With is a new series featuring people of interest in the 605. Have someone you’d like to see featured? Email info@pigeon605.com. 

This edition features Dr. Sarah Cole, a pediatric gastroenterologist with Avera Medical Group who recently was elected as an at-large representative on the Sioux Falls City Council.

Congratulations on being elected to the City Council! So as a mom and pediatric gastroenterologist, why did you want to add one more role?

Thank you so much! It is such an honor to be elected to this seat on the City Council. I always encourage my kids about being the change that we want to see in the world. There are things that happen in our world that we have no control over, but we can control ourselves and our response to those issues. As a mom, I want to ensure that my children have a safe community that has opportunities for everyone to thrive.

As a physician, I have unique insight into the daily struggles that my patients and their families face. I felt a strong pull to be a representative for those who feel that they have no voice within city government. I have lived in several other communities, and Sioux Falls has been the best fit for my family. I want to preserve what we have and continue to make positive change in collaboration with the mayor and other council members.

What made you decide on a career in medicine, specifically pediatrics?

I wanted to be a schoolteacher for most of my young life. Growing up, my teachers were extremely influential in my life and had such an impact on who I am today. I had the opportunity to work in an after-school program in high school and realized that it was not a fit. It gave me a newfound appreciation and respect for teachers and their difficult job. Around the same time, I was taking a health class at a local college during my junior year of high school. We were assigned to read a chapter on the immune system. Learning about the human body was fascinating and intriguing. It was during that year that I decided that I wanted to become a pediatrician. I love working with children and their families! It is so rewarding.

You grew up in Minnesota, what brought you to Sioux Falls?

During my last year of medical school, I traveled to several different pediatric residency programs in the Upper Midwest. I was pregnant with my second child and had a toddler at home, so the larger programs in bigger cities felt overwhelming to me. After graduating medical school from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, I moved to Sioux Falls as a single mom to start my pediatric residency program at Sanford. My son was 18 months old and my daughter was 3 weeks old when I started my residency. This community was a perfect fit for my family. There are so many things I came to love about Sioux Falls, and I hoped that I would find a position here when my training was complete.

Your kids are 11 and 9, which means there are plenty of things to do as a family in the Sioux Falls area. What are some of your favorites?

Sioux Falls is a very family-friendly community. We love visiting the parks, going on bike rides, going to Air Madness and Sky Zone, and visiting our public pools. Wild Water West during the summer and Great Bear during the winter have become some of our favorite spots. We also enjoy visiting the county fairs in the surrounding communities.

What’s the biggest goal you have for your first term on the City Council?

The most challenging issue that we face is addressing all the consequences and demands of growth. We need to make sure that we are expanding infrastructure, maintaining roads, building enough housing to keep up with our population growth, expanding our police and fire to maintain safety and providing programs for our youth, whether that be expanding after-school care or tackling day care shortages.

As you were out campaigning, what were some of the things you heard the most from Sioux Falls residents? What’s on their minds?

Door-to-door was one of my favorite parts of campaigning. Regardless of where I went in the city, the concerns were the same: keeping our community safe and supporting law enforcement, working to expand affordable housing and addressing child care issues.

What’s your favorite way to give back to the community besides public service?

In the past, I have been involved with different community nonprofits, including overseeing activities for a community block club, serving meals at a homeless shelter – Churches United for the Homeless – and offering free eye exams for Prevent Blindness Nebraska. I currently financially support several organizations and donate toys, clothing and books to families in need.

You’ve got a lot going on in life. Any secrets on how to balance it all?

I have incredible support from my colleagues at work, my family, my church and close friends. I would not be able to do this on my own without their encouragement and willingness to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand.

What can we find you doing when you get a spare hour or two?

It’s not too terribly exciting, but if I have spare time, it is usually spent reading or cleaning/organizing. I can’t stand clutter and feel accomplished whenever I am throwing things away or shredding paper. I was inspired when watching Marie Kondo and try to abide by her philosophy that if it doesn’t bring joy, either throw it or donate it.

And finally, you get a shameless plug for anything in town. What is it?

We have amazing fitness facilities here in Sioux Falls. I have lived in four other states, and nothing compares to the opportunities that we have here. We have so many great places that offer hot yoga, cycling, barre, Pilates, rowing, boot camps, climbing – you name it, we have it. There is something for everyone on the fitness spectrum.

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