Sarah Lester, MD

I am a board-certified neurosurgeon focused on brain, spine and peripheral nerve disease. My goal is to restore patients' neurologic function. I'm here to improve their quality of life. An important part of my care is walking patients through the decision-making process. Meeting with a neurosurgeon often involves conversations about difficult diagnoses and complex treatments. Those conversations can be hard to digest. That is why I address patients' concerns clearly, comprehensively and compassionately. I want them to feel comfortable and informed about their care decisions. While I love taking care of all patients, my specific areas of focus are: Peripheral nerve surgery Functional surgery Epilepsy surgery Facial pain These conditions are often chronic and painful. They can make life's activities difficult to enjoy. But with the right surgical approach, patients see life-changing results. My team at Dartmouth Health makes achieving those results possible. We pursue evidence-based, personalized care for patients. Through innovative research and collaborations from the laboratory to the bedside, we advance scientific discovery. Together, we provide world-class care to our community.

I became an orthopaedic surgeon because I wanted to improve the quality of life for my patients. Feet and ankles are amazingly complicated and delicate. Yet, we pound on them every day as they get us through work and play! If your feet hurt, it is hard to do your job and to have the motivation to play and take care of your body. Working in orthopaedics lets me express two sides of my personality. One side enjoys getting to know people. The other side likes to solve problems. I love hearing my patients’ stories and their expectations. I enjoy helping patients make sense of their experiences and understand different solutions to their conditions. Whether the treatment is surgical or non-surgical, my goal is to help them get back to doing what they love. My job is easy: I educate patients about what is going on with their ankle or foot. I tell them about their treatment options. And then they tell me what they want to do. I may be the expert about feet, but my patients are the experts about their bodies and lives.

Dartmouth Health is a comprehensive healthcare network in New England that includes a range of facilities such as Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth Cancer Center, and Dartmouth Health Children's. The organization is dedicated to providing high-quality medical care and innovative treatments across its various locations, ensuring that patients receive exceptional support and resources throughout their healthcare journey. Recognized for its commitment to community health and patient well-being, Dartmouth Health has received numerous awards, including designations as Comprehensive Hypertension Centers and recognition for its supportive work environment for families. Through collaborative efforts and outreach initiatives, the organization continually strives to enhance healthcare accessibility and improve patient outcomes in the region. Generated from the website