Sarah Rachac
Riverstone Health

When did you begin your mentorship journey?

My mentorship journey began out of complete curiosity and ended with a whole lot of growth, support, and validation. Back in the late summer or early fall of 2022, I received an email that was forwarded to me from my supervisor with information on NAHC’s mentorship program. She had just completed her mentorship journey herself, and she made mention of the value of the program and how much she had enjoyed the process.

Why did you seek mentorship with NAHC?

I felt that I was at a point in my career where I knew my job like the back of my hand but was seeking more depth and insights into the industry as a whole. I decided to apply! I didn’t have much context into the program but just decided to give it a shot. What I didn’t know was just how valuable it would be for me.

How was your NAHC Mentorship pairing?

I was paired with Carolyn, who was truly amazing to visit with each month. I feel that NAHC has high standards with their mentor group, making sure that they provide only the best in the industry for this program. Carolyn has so much experience within the Hospice and Home Health world and provided so much support, validation, and suggestions.

How was the NAHC Mentoring process?

During our zoom meetings, it never really occurred to me that she was assisting me to see things in just a little bit of a different light and this helped me to carry out my work efficiently and effectively through a different lens. Despite never meeting me in person, Carolyn was very complimentary of my work, and I think this gave me the confidence that I needed to be more of a leader on our team. One highlight from the year was when Carolyn facilitated a meeting with me and another mentee.  As the sole Volunteer Manager within my organization, I have at times felt a little isolated in terms of problem solving, bouncing ideas off others, or finding support for my role when I am out of the office. The zoom between Carolyn, me and her other mentee was so valuable and validating. It was a great opportunity to share ideas and gain insights from another Volunteer Manager within the program.  

Did you find the NAHC Mentoring program valuable?

The opportunity to have a mentor for an entire year is something that I will value for years to come. I appreciate NAHC’s commitment to those in the industry who are seeking ways to better their work and their outcomes. The monthly meetings were not intended to be “fun” or “a break from my workload,” but I did always look forward to them because I felt that not only would I learn something, but it would force me to see something in a different light and force me out of my usual ways of doing things. I always left our monthly meetings with new information and new ways to apply skills.

Would you recommend the NAHC Mentoring Program?

I believe that the mentorship program would be valuable for anyone seeking to gain more knowledge from leaders within the industry. This added to much value to my year. While this program has only been active for a few years, I suspect that it will only get better with NAHC’s efforts to emphasize growth within its future leaders. Many thanks to NAHC for helping to facilitate such a valuable experience!