I Get to Do What I Love Every Day

Working as both a nurse and a professional dancer, Sachie Ohara ’23 is balancing two demanding jobs that require skill, patience, and long hours.

She wouldn’t have it any other way.

As a nurse at Sutter Health Roseville Medical Center, Sachie works in the cardiac telemetry unit. She cares for patients recovering from cardiac events/arrest, cardiac angiograms, pacemaker placements, fluid overloads, and arrhythmias.

As a member of the dance team for the Sacramento Kings, Sachie performs routines before thousands of cheering fans in the Golden 1 Center.

During the basketball season, Sachie has rehearsals two days a week from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Then, she goes straight from rehearsal to the hospital, where she works from 10 p.m. until 7:30 a.m.

“I go from one job to the next. I pack my scrubs and some dinner to eat on the go. When I get home in the mornings I rest as much as I can before the games,” she says.

The dance team performs at all 42 home games. For dance team members, a typical game day begins at 2:30 p.m. and ends close to 10 p.m.

“Bottom line is there is very little downtime, and any free time I have I am resting up! Sounds like a lot but both jobs are a blessing. I’m thankful I get to do what I love every day.”

For Sachie, nursing is a family calling. Her grandmother is a retired nurse. Sachie’s mother is still a nurse. And her older sister and Dominican alumna, Priya Ohara ’21, is also a nurse.

Indeed, working at Sutter Roseville was one of Sachie’s goals when she was studying nursing at Dominican. It’s where she did her senior year preceptorship on the medical-surgical neurology unit.

“Doing my preceptorship at the same hospital was definitely helpful when looking for a job,” she says. “During my preceptorship, I was able to network and build connections that helped me get to where I am now.”

Dance has had a significant role in Sachie’s life since childhood through her years at Folsom High School.

“Dance started as a hobby and eventually became my lifestyle. It all started when I was two years old. I danced recreationally until I became a competition dancer from grades 7-12,” she says. “I trained in styles including but not limited to tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, ballet, and modern.”

Despite her demanding schedule while training to be a nurse—as well as the many hours she spent each week working in the Student Success Center or focused on service-learning outreach in the community—Sachie never let go of her dream of one day dancing professionally.

“Before and after my nursing classes I would always find myself in the multipurpose room dancing,” she recalls. “When I was a kid, I always wanted to be a professional dancer. However, as I grew up my focus shifted to nursing. After I graduated with my BSN, I found an opportunity to dance on a team again and I am so thankful I did.”

At Dominican, Sachie also discovered another talent – the ability to easily connect with and inspire others. Through her integrative coach Jennifer Labovich, Sachie got a job as a student assistant in the Student Success Center. Jennifer also encouraged Sachie to become a peer mentor.

In addition, Sachie joined the Honors program and ended up painting a mural in a top-floor room in Edgehill Mansion with Occupational Therapy major Eileen Spahle, who has a minor in art. Sachie became a hike supervisor for Dominican Rec Sports. Through a Service-Learning class and partnership with Canal Alliance, she also taught English to adult immigrants in the evening. Through Alumni Relations, Sachie met with donors and presented her digital portfolio related to The Dominican Experience.

So deep was her impact on the Dominican campus that Sachie received the Veritas Cup at commencement. By tradition, this cup is given annually to a graduating senior deemed “a friend of the class.”

Sachie started working at Sutter after graduation. Then, one day, a friend suggested she try something completely different.

“The dance community is tight, and an old dance friend and I reconnected and they said that I should audition for the Kings,” she says. “I started training and gave it my best shot. I knew I had my work cut out for me because I hadn’t been training or dancing at the level expected to make it on a professional NBA dance team.”

The competition was stiff, and the audition was tough, consisting of three rounds over three days. On day one, after arriving with their headshots and resumes, the dancers learned and performed two routines. Each routine was followed by a series of cuts. Those who made it through advanced to day two. Day two consisted of two more new routines, each followed by cuts. Those who survived day two advanced to the finals, which consisted of a live performance at Golden 1.

“At the finals we performed all the routines we had learned over the past two days, live on the court in front of the judges,” Sachie says. “This is where they made their final decision. There was lots of stress and pressure involved, but overall it was such an exciting experience.”

Sachie says it was a miracle that the auditions did not overlap with her busy nursing schedule, and she considers this a sign.

“I would say that when there’s a will, there’s a way. Many people doubted me and told me it would be too much, but I believed in myself and that was enough. Never give up on a passion, always seek new opportunities, and don’t be afraid to take a risk.”

Sachie has been a dance team member since July 2024. Often the crowd at Golden 1 includes a colleague or former Dominican classmate.

“I have been so lucky to have so much support as I go through this crazy journey,” Sachie says. “My former DU classmates and my coworkers at the hospital have come to several games! Every time they come, I ask for their seats so I can throw them a ball or a shirt, but I need to work on my throw!