September 9, 2025
Hello friends! For today’s Team Up post, I’m proud to introduce my friend Val Hannigan from Sadie Bella Therapy Services. I met Val in October 2024 as I was beginning my journey with Origin. Val is a dedicated, knowledgeable and super fun human being! When I learned more about what Val’s expertise included I, being a lifelong learner, was excited to learn from her. Val provided invaluable information and resources in the areas of feeding/swallowing and orofacial myology that directly benefitted my clients and deepened my understanding of areas in my practice that are relatively new to me.
Growing Together at Origin: My Friendship with Vanessa
When I first joined Origin as a design partner, I was excited to be part of something new. Being in the first round of hires meant I had the opportunity to help shape the therapy side of the business from the ground up. My role focuses heavily on documentation compliance and design, but I also love getting to support Origin’s culture—hosting team-building activities and fun events that bring the team closer together.
Not long after I started, Vanessa joined the team. From the very beginning, she brought a sense of compassion, positivity, and gentle energy that immediately drew me in. Through cultural events she has shared her giving and gentle personality. I even remember one day jokingly declaring to her, “I’ve decided we’re going to be BFFs.” Luckily, she didn’t run the other way!
Our friendship has grown through both work and mentorship. I’ve had the privilege of sharing knowledge with Vanessa in the areas of pediatric feeding/swallowing and orofacial myology, and she has always shown such curiosity and eagerness to learn. She is deeply dedicated to her clients, going above and beyond to ensure they—and their families—receive the best possible care. She enthusiastically shares her wins and updates about these clients with me and I celebrate with her.
Beyond our work with Origin, another layer of our bond has come from walking the road of private practice ownership side by side. The challenges of building, growing, and sustaining a practice can sometimes feel heavy, but facing them together has made the journey not only more manageable, but more meaningful. Knowing we can lean on each other in both the triumphs and the struggles has strengthened our friendship in a way I deeply value.
The truth is, while I may have been able to mentor Vanessa in certain areas, she inspires me just as much. Her passion for pursuing the life she envisions as an SLP encourages me to be a better therapist too. I think that’s the beauty of our relationship—we challenge, support, and uplift one another in ways that help us both grow.
I’m so grateful Origin brought us together. Vanessa isn’t just a colleague—she’s a friend who makes the journey brighter.