The Art of Onboarding: Managing Multiple New Hires in Wellness Practices
May 27, 2025"Being a business owner is so much about being able to spot the opportunity, isn't it? And it's the same with hiring. Is this person the right fit for the company? Even though this isn't maybe the perfect time and it isn't maybe the perfect schedule, I see the opportunity here and I see the potential for growth." — Anna Rudel
Should a holistic wellness practice hire its first Western medical doctor? When the perfect candidate appeared unexpectedly at Kendall's doorstep, she faced an unprecedented decision that would test everything she'd built about intentional workplace culture and team dynamics.
Kendall opens with the remarkable news that she's currently onboarding five new employees simultaneously—a situation that wasn't entirely planned but emerged from their people-first approach to hiring. "We just hire so much more for the person than for, you know, to check the box," she explains, highlighting how their recruitment strategies prioritize cultural fit and genuine enthusiasm over simply filling positions.
The most significant development is the addition of their first Western medical doctor to what has been an entirely holistic team. This family medicine physician, who practices with a concierge model similar to their naturopathic approach, represents a strategic evolution toward truly integrative medicine. Kendall shares the careful process of introducing this change to her team, starting with gaining buy-in from her medical director and existing physicians before presenting the opportunity to the entire staff.
"I looked at him, I said, look, this is unprecedented on our team. I said, I know it might not seem like a big deal to you, but this is a delicate conversation with our team because we really protect what we've created here," Kendall explains, demonstrating the thoughtful approach required when evolving team dynamics in wellness practices.
The episode explores how unexpected hiring opportunities can arise when you've created an intentional wellness space. "Once you create a wellness space like this or a clinic with this much intention, you are drawing energy towards you," Kendall observes. This magnetic effect of well-established practices attracts quality candidates even when not actively recruiting, creating opportunities for strategic growth.
Both hosts discuss the cyclical nature of hiring in healthcare practices, where planned expansion often becomes "net zero" when existing team members transition out. Anna shares her experience of hiring someone perfect for one role, only to have a fertility team member relocate to care for aging parents, creating an unexpected shuffle that ultimately worked to everyone's advantage.
The conversation delves into practical aspects of onboarding processes, emphasizing the critical importance of organized systems when managing multiple new hires. Kendall credits their success to having team leads handle modality-specific training while she focuses on overall coordination and compliance issues, particularly important when adding new service modalities.
"The biggest compliment I can receive and have received over the years is, oh my gosh, your guys onboarding is so organized and I feel so supported here," Kendall shares, highlighting how exceptional employee experience starts from day one.
Both hosts stress the importance of clear communication and realistic expectations during onboarding. They discuss the challenge of providing comprehensive information without overwhelming new team members, leading to structured approaches that prioritize essential items while organizing training materials into logical categories.
The episode also touches on the evolving landscape of candidate applications, with both hosts noting the importance of personalized cover letters and genuine enthusiasm for their specific practices. "My favorite person to hire is someone who emails me directly and says, I have been following your company for years," Kendall explains, emphasizing how authentic interest distinguishes exceptional candidates.
Throughout the discussion, both leaders demonstrate how intentional hiring practices contribute to employee retention and organizational development. Their approach to adding an MD while maintaining holistic care principles offers a valuable case study for wellness practices considering similar expansions.
This episode provides essential guidance for wellness center owners facing hiring challenges while maintaining the team collaboration and workplace culture that create exceptional patient experiences. The honest discussion of both successes and learning opportunities makes this valuable listening for anyone building or expanding a healthcare team.
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About Anna Rudel
Anna Rudel, L. Ac is the owner and founder of Lokahi Acupuncture Clinic in San Jose California, founded in 2003. Anna is a master organizer and clinician, and as a Coach she specializes in working with Clinic Owners in the state of California, and Acupuncturists and Acupuncture Clinic Owners, or groups wanting to add Acupuncture worldwide, as well as teams that need support with employee retention and satisfaction. Born in the UK, Anna has traveled extensively in Asia and now has a thriving multi-practitioner clinic in the US!
Anna's Website and Links
- Website: https://lokahiacupuncture.com/
- Learn Group Coaching: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/group-coaching
- For info about Individual Coaching: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/individual-coaching
About Kendall Hagensen
Kendall is a Somatic Mental Health Therapist, Multidisciplinary Clinic Owner and Business Coach. She specializes in, and is passionate about, working with healthcare professionals to create the businesses of their dreams. Big goals always have a psychological component beneath the surface, so Kendall uses her background in Somatic Psychotherapy and EMDR Therapy mixed with Business Coaching tools to help clients develop a healthy relationship with their business and their strength as a leader.
As someone who lives with a chronic illness herself, Kendall feels that health happens best within community, which is why she takes a holistic, integrative, and collaborative wellness approach to her personal and professional life.
Kendall’s Web/Social Links