By Amanda Kuhnert
When Sabine Watson closed on the building that now houses her integrative health clinic in St. Johnsbury, community members sent bouquets of flowers and congratulatory notes. “The community has been a backbone for me,” she said.
Watson, originally from Haiti, relocated with her husband and children from Massachusetts to Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom in 2013, drawn by the area’s rural beauty and St. Johnsbury Academy’s strong reputation. Along with a lifestyle change, the move to Vermont sparked a career shift for Watson. She decided to transition from biochemistry into nursing, later earning her nurse practitioner credentials.
While completing her clinical training at a local medical center, she recognized the need for stronger mental health and substance-use support services in the area, inspiring her to complete an advanced degree in psychiatric mental health. “Even though they were coming to me for primary care, the majority of my patients suffered with mental health issues related to substance-use disorders,” she said. This included a growing number of formerly incarcerated patients who needed support adapting to life outside of prison.
Answering a community need
Determined to address this gap in care, Watson set out to open her own clinic. She immediately reached out to local economic and business advisors for support, including Rick Daniell at the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) “He helped us create a business plan to get the loan we needed,” she said. “He really coached us on what to do and how to do it—from hiring staff to budgeting to bookkeeping. Because I didn’t know how to do any of that. I just knew how to care for patients.”
Watson Integrated Family Medicine clinic opened its doors in February 2024. Two years later, Watson has a team of five, including her medical assistant and office manager Allison Rowell, who has been instrumental in navigating insurance companies—the first major hurdle for any health care business. Watson and Rowell meet with Rick regularly as the business continues to take shape. “Anytime we call him, he’s always there,” Watson said. “If we send an email, he’s always there.”
The stress of starting a new business, particularly during the early days when insurance payments lagged, brought sleepless nights, Watson recalls. But the clinic’s impact made it worthwhile—patients overcoming alcohol addiction and formerly incarcerated individuals now living productive, substance-free lives. “To see the change in the community, that people are getting help and they’re being heard. That’s the greatest thing that has kept me going. Every success counts.”
For more info: watsonintegratedfamilymedicine.com.
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