Interview with Mend’s Founder
Nostalgia hovered over the table as Sarah O’Leary, founder of Mend, took a sip of coffee and described her family. Her grandfather was a doctor and grandmother a nurse. They ran an old-fashioned community health clinic where patients could walk in and get personalized, hands-on care. Continuing the tradition, her father, also a doctor, saw major shifts in how healthcare was delivered. His career evolved from a single practicing doctor, to managed care. He was referring patients to acupuncture as far back as the ’80s, when the practice was just emerging in the United States.
Although acupuncture is often perceived as specialized care, this is certainly not the case in China, where the practice originates from. Acupuncture is used in China for all kinds of ailments, from aches and pains, to acute injuries, to emotional distress. Fusing the vision of community health care Sarah witnessed growing up, with the Chinese practice of having acupuncture available within arms reach, Mend was born.
Mend’s One on One Clinic has been in practice for over ten years (previously Seeds Wellness), with most patients able to use their health insurance for acupuncture treatments. By opening up their doors for walk-in acupuncture, and developing relationships with primary care physicians, Mend is helping to bring the practice to the masses. Which has meant a lot of bodies in the door, and the current space just can’t house the demand. This is one of the central reasons why Mend is expanding to Remington.
We sat down with O’Leary and Kim Hennessee (Mend’s Education Director) to find out more about their expansion plans.
What’s happening with Mend?
The One on One Clinic (currently above Cafe Hon) will be moving to the Remington location. Mend has simply outgrown its Hampden location because of the higher demand for acupuncture services.
Mend will be a One on One Clinic clinic in Remington with community clinics in both the Remington and Hampden locations.
Why Remington?
Just as Hampden exploded in popularity in the last ten years, Remington is gearing up for the same potential.
“Remington Row invites a main street experience with many Baltimore based business concentrated within a few block radius. When the opportunity arose to expand into Remington we jumped on it; the development project is a significant benefit to the community and we are proud to be a part of this historical and economical shift,” says O’Leary of the choice to expand to R
emington.
emington.
Mend’s new digs at Remington Row (2700 Remington Avenue) has a lot of great benefits.Mend will enjoy a first floor, walk-in from the street location in a brand new building that is LEED certified. The construction is being done by Seawall, whose vision of a better Baltimore is another huge positive. Because the building is new, patients will enjoy plenty of free parking in the building’s underground garage and handicap access.
Just above Mend, the Wyman Park branch of Johns Hopkins Community Physicians clinic hasmoved into the space. O’Leary and Mend’s outreach team have worked hard over the years to develop relationships with primary care providers in order to include acupuncture in the integrative care model that many physicians are becoming more open to. The close proximity to a Hopkins clinic will be a wonderful opportunity for patients to get a variety of health care needs met in one location. At a time when healthcare has gotten really complicated, acupuncture breathes simplicity into getting treatment for a wide variety of conditions.
Plus, right down the street will be R.House, a paradise of food and drink stalls, perfect for a post-treatment lunch.
What about the Hampden locations?
Don’t fret! The community clinic in Hampden is staying put. The One on One clinic will be moving and adding a 2nd community clinic in Remington. This make it the first Hybrid Acupuncture Clinic in Maryland.
Can I still make appointments with my favorite acupuncturist?
Of course! The staff isn’t changing, only the location. Mend is also bringing in resident therapists such as massage, mental health and nutrition guidance during off-clinic hours.
Will the hours be the same? What about the drop-in clinic?
Once the new space opens, the Drop-in Community Clinic will be open half the week in Remington and half the week in Hampden so patients can drop-in at one of the clinics seven days a week. The one-to-one clinic is by appointment.
When does the new location open?
The One on One Clinic opens mid-October and the community clinic will be ready for drop-ins starting in November. *Schedule your One on One appointments as usual. Move date estimated to be Oct 16. We’ll call to confirm location that week!
What about parking?
Parking is one of the reasons we picked Remington Row. Patients will enjoy plenty of free parking in the building’s underground garage and handicap access.
We Can’t Wait to Show you Around!
written by Gwen Van Velsor
