Healing Happens Here

On a quiet day in a church parking lot, our mobile clinic—fondly called Sue the Bus—was packed. A woman who’d just learned she was pregnant received acupuncture while waiting for clean needles. A staff member from a nearby treatment facility, also getting treated, gently talked with her about entering recovery. A community health worker sat nearby with her eyes closed, her teenager behind her, both receiving the calming effects of the 5 Needle Protocol. In the back, a man visiting from out of town wandered in, curious—and left with a nap and a softened heart.

Moments like this happen often on our bus, where love, care, and community come together in unexpected places.

And now, we're expanding. In 2026, we’ll open our Community Acupuncture Clinic in Northwest Roanoke. This new space will offer the same compassion and nervous system support—but with more chairs, more hours, and full-body acupuncture treatments on a sliding scale. Whether on wheels or within our future brick-and-mortar clinic, The Calm Clinic and Caravan is here to eliminate barriers to wellness across Southwest Virginia.

Come get grounded with us.

What is Community Acupuncture?

Community acupuncture is an affordable, accessible model of care where people receive acupuncture in a shared, peaceful space. Treatments are offered on a sliding scale or at low or no cost—making healing available to more people, more often. It’s rooted in the idea that wellness should not be a luxury.

At The Calm Clinic and Caravan, our community acupuncture clinic will offer:

Free 5 Needle Protocol (5NP) treatments
Reduced-cost full-body acupuncture sessions

Community acupuncture is an affordable, accessible model of care where people receive acupuncture in a shared, peaceful space. Treatments are offered on a sliding scale or at low or no cost—making healing available to more people, more often. It’s rooted in the idea that wellness should not be a luxury.

At The Calm Clinic and Caravan, our community acupuncture clinic will offer:

Free 5 Needle Protocol (5NP) treatments
Reduced-cost full-body acupuncture sessions

What is the Difference Between 5 Needle Protocol and Full-Body Acupuncture?

5 Needle Protocol (5NP) is a simple, trauma-informed treatment using five tiny acupuncture needles placed in each ear. It helps calm the nervous system, reduce cravings and anxiety, ease pain, and support sleep. 5NP is often used in community health, addiction recovery, disaster relief, and mental wellness settings because it’s powerful, safe, and accessible.

Full-body acupuncture involves a personalized assessment and needle placement along points on the body—such as the legs, arms, back, or abdomen. These treatments are tailored to treat a wide range of issues, including chronic pain, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, migraines, insomnia, and more.

5 Needle Protocol (5NP) is a simple, trauma-informed treatment using five tiny acupuncture needles placed in each ear. It helps calm the nervous system, reduce cravings and anxiety, ease pain, and support sleep. 5NP is often used in community health, addiction recovery, disaster relief, and mental wellness settings because it’s powerful, safe, and accessible.

Full-body acupuncture involves a personalized assessment and needle placement along points on the body—such as the legs, arms, back, or abdomen. These treatments are tailored to treat a wide range of issues, including chronic pain, digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, migraines, insomnia, and more.

Who Can Provide These Services?

5NP Practitioners complete specific training through programs like the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). They are not licensed acupuncturists, but they are certified to provide this limited, ear-only protocol in community settings.
Licensed Acupuncturists have thousands of hours of clinical and classroom training, including graduate-level education in anatomy, physiology, Chinese medicine theory, and diagnosis. They’re licensed to provide full-body, individualized treatments.

At our clinic, you’ll have access to both:
Safe, effective 5NP treatments led by certified practitioners and personalized full-body acupuncture with licensed acupuncturists.

5NP Practitioners complete specific training through programs like the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). They are not licensed acupuncturists, but they are certified to provide this limited, ear-only protocol in community settings.
Licensed Acupuncturists have thousands of hours of clinical and classroom training, including graduate-level education in anatomy, physiology, Chinese medicine theory, and diagnosis. They’re licensed to provide full-body, individualized treatments.

At our clinic, you’ll have access to both:
Safe, effective 5NP treatments led by certified practitioners and personalized full-body acupuncture with licensed acupuncturists.

Why Does This Matter?

We believe everyone deserves access to healing—whether you’re looking for a nervous system reset, managing chronic illness, or simply seeking a moment of peace. Our clinic model lets us meet people where they are, and treat people how they need to be treated—without the financial barrier.

Meet our Board of Directors

Founder & Executive Director

Katie Clifton, L.Ac.

Born and raised in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, Katie Clifton is a mountain mama who has a deep love of Appalachia. After owning and operating Queenpin Acupuncture for a decade, Katie transitioned to nonprofit work, founding The Wellness Wagon—a mobile clinic providing free and reduced-cost acupuncture to medically underserved communities in southwest Virginia.

Dedicated to making acupuncture more accessible, Katie has served on the Acupuncture Society of Virginia for two years and represents the organization in the American Society of Acupuncturists. She is passionate about making acupuncture accessible to every body.

Vice President

Donna Davis

With more than 25 years of dedicated service in the non-profit sector, Donna boasts a wealth of experience and expertise in community outreach and engagement. Currently holding a pivotal role at Goodwill, she orchestrates impactful initiatives that bring people together. Her passion for event planning shines through as she effortlessly navigates the complexities of organizing gatherings that leave lasting impressions.

Born and raised in Roanoke, Donna ventured to Washington, D.C., for a significant chapter of her life before returning to The Valley in 2012. With deep roots in Roanoke, where cherished memories and connections abound, she graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1976, solidifying her bond with the community.

Donna admits her unfamiliarity with acupuncture, but eagerly anticipates a journey of discovery in holistic health. Having grasped the mission and goals of the Wellness Wagon, she recognizes the profound impact its services can have, especially in underserved communities. Armed with her acquired skills and extensive community connections, she eagerly anticipates championing the cause and promoting the Wellness Wagon's invaluable offerings.

Member

Mary King

Mary is currently in graduate school, earning her PhD in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health at Virginia Tech. Although it’s a long title for a degree, it means she is passionate about scientific research that is carried out with the patient in mind. Her dissertation work is focused on the impact of stress and other behavioral factors on clinical decision-making in cases of antibiotic overuse. Mary’s favorite part of her job is data analysis, so she is very excited to bring this part of her work to the Wellness Wagon.

Born and raised nearby in Campbell County, VA, Mary attended the University of Lynchburg for her undergraduate degree in psychology and gender studies before moving to Roanoke for graduate school in 2020. She often visits home to see her family, as her favorite job is being an aunt to her two nephews.

Although acupuncture was a new subject for Mary to get into, she’s very excited to embrace holistic healing and to support the mission of the Wellness Wagon. Having grown up in a rural community, she recognizes the impact that this organization can have on underserved communities where healthcare is not always accessible.

President

Rachel Hopkins

Rachel has served as CEO of CHIP of the Roanoke Valley since January 2023, bringing more than a decade of experience at the intersection of strategy, leadership, creativity, and social change. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to community-based healthcare—meeting families where they are, honoring their lived experiences, and fostering systems rooted in trust, equity, and connection.

Rachel believes that dignity is not just a value but a powerful mechanism for transformation. Her leadership is grounded in radical love and acceptance—the idea that when people are truly seen and valued, both healing and systemic change become possible. She is passionate about building inclusive, engaged workplaces that empower individuals and uplift communities.

Since relocating to Roanoke in 2012, Rachel has held several leadership roles including Executive Director of the Science Museum of Western Virginia, Vice President of Development for Center in the Square, and she led the creation of the beloved Roanoke Pinball Museum. Her global perspective—shaped by over a decade living in Leipzig, Germany and Amsterdam, Netherlands—continues to inform her belief in the power of community to create lasting change.

Outside of work, Rachel finds joy in spending time with her three children—Bella, Marla, and Isha—gardening, collecting and creating art, and traveling to countries that challenge her comfort zone and expand her worldview.

Treasurer

Kim White

Kim has dedicated her career to the nonprofit sector, serving as a bookkeeper, accountant, and tax preparer. With a strong passion for integrative health, Kim firmly believes in the power of holistic healing modalities, with acupuncture being one of her preferred approaches.

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Kim has spent the majority of her life in the Roanoke area, making her feel like a true native. Her commitment to the community extends beyond her professional life, as she wholeheartedly supports organizations dedicated to empowering individuals to take control of their well-being.

Kim's financial expertise combined with her unwavering belief in the importance of holistic health makes her a valuable asset to any nonprofit striving to make a positive impact on people's lives.