Team Members
Sarah Prater
L.Ac. Founder and Acupuncturist
Sarah has had the honor of helping many women give birth to happy, healthy babies and has a diverse background that enables her to fully support you through your journey. Her passion for helping her patients expand their families shows in every aspect of her work. She takes the time to get to know you and find the treatment plan that is best for you.
Sarah strives to stay up to date with current research in her field and is constantly updating her protocols to offer the maximum benefit. Her wide breadth of experience allows her to work cooperatively with reproductive endocrinologists and OB/GYN’s to provide the best care for her patients.
Sarah has been practicing acupuncture since 2008 and relocated to Tennessee in 2015. She lives in Maryville with her husband and two children. She is an avid cyclist and spends as much time as she can in the mountains.
Sarah strives to stay up to date with current research in her field and is constantly updating her protocols to offer the maximum benefit. Her wide breadth of experience allows her to work cooperatively with reproductive endocrinologists and OB/GYN’s to provide the best care for her patients.
Sarah has been practicing acupuncture since 2008 and relocated to Tennessee in 2015. She lives in Maryville with her husband and two children. She is an avid cyclist and spends as much time as she can in the mountains.
Education:
B.S. Biology: Indiana University-Bloomington 2005
M.S. Oriental Medicine: Southwest Acupuncture College, Santa Fe, NM 2008
Certification:
Board Certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture (NCCAOM) and Oriental Medicine
(NCCAOM): DIplomate of Oriental Medicine
Licensed Acupuncturist: Tennessee: 297
Experience:
After graduation, she furthered her education in fertility and prenatal acupuncture and has specialized in infertility since 2011. She has published research in the American Acupuncturist, written for Meridians: The Journal of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and worked with the Patient Centered Research Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).
Sarah is a past president and current board member of the Tennessee Acupuncture Council and serves as Tennessee's representative to the American Society of Acupuncturists.
B.S. Biology: Indiana University-Bloomington 2005
M.S. Oriental Medicine: Southwest Acupuncture College, Santa Fe, NM 2008
Certification:
Board Certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture (NCCAOM) and Oriental Medicine
(NCCAOM): DIplomate of Oriental Medicine
Licensed Acupuncturist: Tennessee: 297
Experience:
After graduation, she furthered her education in fertility and prenatal acupuncture and has specialized in infertility since 2011. She has published research in the American Acupuncturist, written for Meridians: The Journal of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and worked with the Patient Centered Research Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).
Sarah is a past president and current board member of the Tennessee Acupuncture Council and serves as Tennessee's representative to the American Society of Acupuncturists.
Dr. Alexandria Russell
Doctorate of Acupuncture,
Licensed Acupuncturist
Alex is a certified NCCAOM and licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) in Tennessee. She graduated at the top of her class from Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine in 2021 and then went on to pursue her doctorate at Five Branches University in 2022. She has been working and studying with Sarah since 2019. She specializes in general wellness, psycho-emotional support, digestive symptoms, fertility and reproductive health. Alex is an active board member for the Tennessee Acupuncture Council and is serving on the nominations committee for the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA). She enjoys mentoring up and coming acupuncture students. She lives in Norris with her husband and grandparents and enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling.
Education:
B.S. Psychology, Minor Biology; Summa Cum Laude: Old Dominion University, 2016
Masters Diplomate of Acupuncture, Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine, 2021
Doctorate of Acupuncture, Five Branches University, 2022
Certification:
Board Certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture
(NCCAOM): Diplomate of Acupuncture
Tennessee License: 460
Experience:
Alex has worked and interned in various acupuncture clinics since 2015. She furthered her education while in school by taking classes in fertility and prenatal acupuncture along with continuing to study with Sarah. Alex is an active board member for the Tennessee Acupuncture Council and serves on the nominations committee for the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA). She served as the ASA-Student committee chair from 2019-2021.
B.S. Psychology, Minor Biology; Summa Cum Laude: Old Dominion University, 2016
Masters Diplomate of Acupuncture, Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine, 2021
Doctorate of Acupuncture, Five Branches University, 2022
Certification:
Board Certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture
(NCCAOM): Diplomate of Acupuncture
Tennessee License: 460
Experience:
Alex has worked and interned in various acupuncture clinics since 2015. She furthered her education while in school by taking classes in fertility and prenatal acupuncture along with continuing to study with Sarah. Alex is an active board member for the Tennessee Acupuncture Council and serves on the nominations committee for the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA). She served as the ASA-Student committee chair from 2019-2021.
Elizabeth Newman
Office Manager
Elizabeth is our office manager and currently attending school at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine, where she'll build on her passion for holistic healing practices. Elizabeth's professional background is in trauma and crisis work, as well as advocacy and nonprofit development. Strengths-based approaches that honor every individual's experiences and agency, as well as the greater collective, resonate with her. She and her partner spend the majority of their energy outdoors- mountain biking, camping and attempting novice herbalism and gardening. When inside, she likes to cook, eat and make art. Her cat's name is Bobby, after Bobby Hill.
Jessica Payne
Office Manager
Jessica became a part of the Maryville Acupuncture team in June 2024 as their new office manager. She has a professional background in customer service, management, and western healthcare. She is excited to grow in her position and aims to maintain a positive and welcoming environment. Jessica is a Maryville native and enjoys spending her free time with her partner, family, and fur babies. She loves a good book, traveling, and helping others.
Education:
B.S. Exercise Science, Maryville College, 2023
Education:
B.S. Exercise Science, Maryville College, 2023
For Fertility & Pregnancy Tips and Clinic Specials Sign Up Here!
