Our Team

Our Practitioners

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    Sara Prater, L.Ac., Clinic Owner

    She has been practicing acupuncture since 2008 has devoted her career to supporting couples struggling with infertility at her Knoxville practice, The Tennessee Center for Reproductive Acupuncture. In addition to practicing, Sarah is a past president of the Tennessee Acupuncture Council and is Tennessee’s representative for the American Society of Acupuncturists. She lives in Maryville with her husband and 2 children and spends as much time i n t he mountains as she can.

    Education

    B.S. Biology: Indiana University-Bloomington, 2005
    M.S. Traditional Chinese Medicine: Southwest Acupuncture College-Santa Fe, NM, 2008
    NCCAOM Diplomate in East Asian Medicine Medicine
    Tennessee License 297

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  • A smiling woman with light brown hair wearing black medical scrubs standing against a light blue background, arms crossed.

    Alexandria Russell, D.Ac., L.Ac. : Doctor of Acupuncture, Licensed Acupuncturist

    She is an NCCAOM diplomate 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 finish her doctorate at Five Branches University in 2022. She specializes in general wellness, psycho-emotional support, various orthopedic pain, digestive symptoms, fertility and reproductive health, just to name a few. One of her hobbies involves keeping up with evidence based acupuncture practices and research. 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 has a passion for mentoring up-and-coming acupuncture students. She lives in Norris with her husband and grandparents and enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling.

    Education:

    D.Ac., Doctorate of Acupuncture, Five Branches University, 2022

    L.Ac., Licensed Acupuncturist

    Masters Diplomate of Acupuncture, Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine, 2021

    NCCAOM Diplomate of Acupuncture

    Zheng Gui TuiNa Training, 2019 B.S. Psychology, Minor Biology; Summa Cum Laude: Old Dominion University, 2016

    RYT-200, Atma Bodha Yoga, 2016

    Tennessee License 460

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    Kate Sisson L.Ac., Licensed Acupuncturist

    She is an NCCAOM diplomate, licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) and registered nurse (RN) in the state of Tennessee. Since beginning practice in 2014, Kate uses both her education and life experience - as a personal trainer, bellydancer, aerialist - to support her patients. She specializes in pain management, injury/surgery rehab, stress management for neurodivergent folks, anxiety/depression, women’s health and cosmetic acupuncture. She lives in Maryville with her daughter, son, partner, two very independent cats and one very codependent dog. She loves hiking, house plants, yoga, and brewing chai.

    Education: B.S., Science Technology and Culture, Ga Tech, 2004

    M.Ac.OM, Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine, 2014

    Detox Specialist, NADA, 2014

    Fellowship, Pain Management and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Seattle Acupuncture Associates, 2015

    Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture training, Hampton’s Acupuncture, 2017

    RN/ADN, Chattanooga State Community College, 2019

    Advanced Facial and Cosmetic Acupuncture Certificate, Michelle Gellis Acupuncture, 2022

    NCCAOM Diplomate of Acupuncture

    Tennessee License 312

    Make an Appointment with Kate
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    Jennifer Broadwell L.Ac., Licensed Acupuncturist

    Jennifer is an NCCAOM diplomate, licensed acupuncturist and herbalist since 2011. She has been a licensed nurse since 2000. She has worked in many settings including the women’s health, oncology, and neurology units within hospitals and has been in private practice for eight years. She is committed to providing the highest quality personalized care to all her patients.

    Education: Florida AP 3041 TN 453

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Our Support Staff

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    Elizabeth Newman

    Office Manager

    She 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.

  • A smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing black glasses, a black top, a necklace with a heart-shaped pendant, and makeup including false eyelashes, standing against a plain beige wall.

    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