This month, we see Sarah Humpal advance as Canton’s Site Captain. Sarah has been with Mend in a variety of capacities since 2015. Before choosing to pursue acupuncture professionally, Sarah worked in the non-profit arena and in program, policy, and operations analysis in federal and local government. After working in a variety of settings and communities, Sarah chose acupuncture as she was inspired by the medicine’s ability to improve an individual’s health and wellbeing, while also acknowledging the external factors that contribute to or limit our wellness.
With Sarah’s experience and interests, we look forward to her stepping into a new leadership role in the organization. And with this transition, there’s no better time to get to know Sarah H.
Why did you choose acupuncture?
I chose acupuncture for my next career because the framework of this medicine encompasses so many levels of an individual’s health and thriving while also acknowledging the external factors that contribute to or limit our wellness. With acupuncture, we can help alleviate pain at the intersecting physical, mental, and emotional levels and this allows people to live more fully in relationships with partnerships, families, communities, and the Earth.
What do you love about patient care?
In patient care, I love reflecting back to people how wise, courageous, joyful, caring, and awe-inspiring they are. We tend towards negativity biases, often seeing our shortcomings and limitations easier than we see our gifts and expansiveness. I love reminding people that we are mammals who live with and are affected by the changing seasons. I love having a tool to offer reduced pain and rest in a world that often feels overwhelming.
What skills are you excited to exercise in your new role?
I am looking forward to sharing the same orientation I have to patient care in my leadership role in the organization. That is, each person at Mend is truly and uniquely amazing and talented. My aim is to help the systems of our organization work smoothly so everyone in it can feel supported and shine. I want us to be able to be present with what is, have fun, and flourish since work is where many of us spend a huge portion of our lives. I am also personally committed to continuing to unlearn white supremacy and the related intersectional power and privilege biases of heteronormativity, ableism, class, etc., and will bring this orientation to work.
Welcome to a new spot in the org after several years of your service here, Sarah H. Your patients and colleagues love your compassionate approach and authentic applause for each of our individual uniqueness. You are a reminder to us on the team that we are just mammals, living in a world that often feels overwhelming. In Sarah‘s care, there is permission to keep it simple, to laugh, and to always stay curious.
Congrats Sarah H!
