Aloha y’all!
First off, I love podcasting and connecting you with EXTRAordinary people who light up this world in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
Second, THANK YOU for your support, comments, and sharing this podcast and episodes you love.
Third, if you could leave a five-star review and rating, that would help others find Yinspired. If that’s not your thing, don’t worry.
Today we have a casual conversation with the founder of the Wellness Wagon in Roanoke, Virginia. [Warning, it was very stormy in Virginia the day we recorded and we kept getting kicked off the internet. Thank goodness for modern technology to help me stitch our conversation together.] Back to this episode: Katie Clifton is a Licensed Acupuncturist and grew up in rural America. Her journey into Acupuncture with no business background, as a single mom, will make you understand why her clinical success is backed by grit, heart, and love for her community.
From my heart to yours,
Haunani
P.S. - The day this episode was released, Katie launched her new non-profit Calm Clinic & Caravan (formerly Wellness Wagon). Please congratulate Katie in the comments below, and if her work touches your heart, please consider donating to Calm Clinic & Caravan.
Meet Katie Clifton, L.Ac.
Born and raised in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, Katie Clifton is a mountain mama who has a deep love of Appalachia. After owning and operating Queenpin Acupuncture for a decade, Katie transitioned to nonprofit work, founding The Wellness Wagon—a mobile clinic providing free and reduced-cost acupuncture to medically underserved communities in southwest Virginia. Dedicated to making acupuncture more accessible, Katie has served on the Acupuncture Society of Virginia for two years and represents the organization in the American Society of Acupuncturists.
Summary
In this episode of Yinspired, host Dr. Haunani Chong Drake, DACM, speaks with Katie Clifton, Licensed Acupuncturist and founder of the Wellness Wagon, a mobile clinic providing accessible acupuncture to underserved communities in Southwest Virginia. They discuss Katie's journey into acupuncture, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of community partnerships on healthcare access. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by practitioners, the significance of collaboration in healthcare, and the future of acupuncture as a vital part of community health.
Takeaways
Acupuncture education involves a significant paradigm shift for practitioners.
Navigating the challenges of starting a practice requires support and resources.
Katie Clifton founded the Wellness Wagon to provide accessible acupuncture.
Community partnerships are essential for the success of mobile clinics.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in professional development.
Collaboration among healthcare providers enhances patient care.
The future of acupuncture lies in community engagement and accessibility.
Practitioners should focus on collaboration rather than competition.
Show Notes & Shoutouts
Links to Katie’s work
Calm Clinic & Caravan (formerly the Wellness Wagon)
Ig: @calmclinicva
Learn more and find your local Small Business Administration (SBA) mentors: SCORE Business Mentoring | U.S. Small Business Administration
End music “Tiny Putty” on Riverside.fm
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Yinspired and Katie Clifton
02:21 Katie's Journey into Medicine
05:49 Transitioning to Acupuncture School
11:20 Experiences in Acupuncture School
19:07 Working with Children in Acupuncture
21:50 Navigating the Challenges of Education and Parenthood
24:05 The Paradigm Shift in Healthcare Education
25:55 Transitioning from Education to Practice
29:35 Building a Successful Practice in a Small Community
33:53 The Importance of Community and Support in Healthcare
36:27 The Journey of Entrepreneurship
41:47 Building a Nonprofit Mobile Clinic
47:55 Community Impact and Collaboration
54:03 Sustainable Healthcare Solutions
59:54 Integrative Care and Accessibility
01:05:53 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations
Transcript
You can find the transcript and closed caption of today’s episode at the top of this post. Look to the right of the thumbs-up and comment icons.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND SUPPORT. This whole podcasting thing is very new to me. As a one-person team, I’m using automated transcript notes for the time being. My sincere apologies and I hope it doesn’t take away from the content. If it does, please send me a kind email or message and I’ll do my best within reason.
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