Marketing Account Manager — Sarah Eddy

This week’s spotlight is on Sarah Eddy, OTR/L, OTD, a non-clinical occupational therapist who is now Marketing Account Manager for Patch!

What is your full name, title, and company name for your current, primary role?

Sarah Eddy, OTR/L, OTD — Marketing Account Manager for Patch

Where are you located?

Charleston, SC.

Where did you go to OT school, and what year did you graduate?

Medical University of South Carolina, 2022.

What did you do when you first finished school, and for how long?

For two years, I worked as an acute care occupational therapist at the Medical University of South Carolina.

In what setting(s) did you work, and what types of patients did you treat?

I worked in the hospital setting where we rotated floors every three months. It gave me the chance to work with all kinds of patients, from the neurosurgical ICU and transplant units to ortho trauma and general medicine.

What did you enjoy about your early roles? What didn’t you enjoy?

I loved getting the chance to work with such a variety of patient populations. Along the way, I learned more about the medical side of care, from medications to collaborating with doctors, nurses, case managers, and the rest of the rehab team. It was definitely a setting that could be emotionally, mentally, and physically taxing, but overall the experience was incredibly valuable.

When and why did you decide to do something non-clinical?

I made the decision when I was feeling burned out and realized I needed a role that offered more balance and flexibility in my schedule.

What are you doing these days?

I’m working as a marketing account manager at The Patch System, a company that helps cash-based PT, chiropractic, and personal training clinics grow their businesses.

I handle everything from running Google Ads and creating email campaigns to writing newsletters, improving SEO, writing blogs, and setting up HubSpot, so clinics can see the impact of their marketing.

Are you still treating patients, or are you solely non-clinical?

I am solely non-clinical now.

How long have you been in your current role?

I have been with Patch since July 2024.

Did you get any special certifications or training along the way to help you get into your current role?

I did not take any additional certifications!

How did you find your job? Did you apply or find it through a connection?

I found it through The Non-Clinical PT email list!

Did you do anything special to your resume and cover letter to land the job?

I went through my resume and reframed my OT experience to show how those skills applied to the job I was going for.

I really believe clinicians have so many transferable skills, even if it sometimes feels like everything we know is tied to the medical side.

What was the interview like for the marketing account manager role?

I interviewed with both the COO and the CEO. I really appreciated how open they were to teaching me the knowledge I’d need for the role, while also valuing the transferable skills I could bring from my background as an occupational therapist.

How have people reacted to you leaving patient care?

For the most part, people have been very supportive and curious about how I transitioned into a non-clinical role. I always tell them to check out The Non-Clinical PT’s newsletter!

What’s a typical day or week in the life like for you? What types of tasks and responsibilities fill your time?

Week to week, my responsibilities shift, but some of the big ones are:

• Meeting with clinic owners for quarterly business reviews
• Writing newsletters, blogs, and email campaigns
• Setting up or optimizing Google Ads accounts

I really like the variety. It keeps the work fresh, and I always enjoy connecting with clinic owners along the way.

What are some of the rewards of your role? What are the biggest challenges?

The most rewarding part of my role is helping clinic owners grow and scale their businesses with effective marketing strategies—ultimately giving them more time and financial freedom.

The biggest challenge is balancing multiple projects while working with different personalities. Being detail-oriented and using strategies like time blocking has really helped me manage this.

How did your clinical background prepare you for this role? Which skills transferred?

My clinical background prepared me by strengthening my people skills—working with patients on some of their hardest days taught me how to navigate difficult situations with empathy and professionalism. It also helped me develop strong attention to detail through charting, which now supports me in managing multiple projects at once.

What type of person do you think would do well in your role?

I’d say this type of role is a great fit if you enjoy working with people and building relationships. Being detail-oriented and having strong time-management skills will go a long way since you’re often balancing multiple projects. Good communication skills are also huge, whether it’s collaborating with a team or keeping clients in the loop!

Ready to launch your own non-clinical career?

Do you work remotely or onsite?

Remotely.

Does your organization hire PT, OT, or SLP professionals into non-clinical roles? If so, what type of roles?

Yes! A big part of our team comes from PT and OT backgrounds, and many of us have taken the leap into non-clinical careers.

I think it’s ideal because we can relate to clinic owners on a personal level and really understand the therapy side of their business. That shared experience helps us communicate better, anticipate their needs, and create strategies that actually make sense for their world.

Did you read any books, take any courses, or do anything special overall to get you where you are today?

I read Unreasonable Hospitality, and it’s been such a game changer for me, especially in a role that’s so client-facing. It really emphasizes the value of going above and beyond, and how small, intentional actions can leave a lasting impression. Honestly, I’d recommend it to anyone, whether you’re working directly with clients or not, because it’s all about building stronger connections and creating memorable experiences for the people you work with.

What is a typical career path for someone in your marketing account manager role?

Typically, the next step after this role would be moving into a senior account manager position, and from there into a head of customer success role. It’s a path that builds on both client-facing experience and strategic thinking, so you grow from managing day-to-day accounts into leading broader customer success initiatives and guiding a team.

What is next for you? What are your high-level career aspirations?

I hope to be with Patch for a long time! Looking ahead, I’d love to continue growing my management skills and taking on more leadership opportunities. At the same time, I want to keep expanding my knowledge, so I can serve my clients even better and help them reach their goals.