Sarah Kirk couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the largest community health center network in the state, and to have been a part of its growth over the past eight years. She’s Human Resource Director at Albany Area Primary Health Care Inc.

“I am committed to helping this organization find people who have the passion and compassion to help our community,” she says. Though human resources may initially seem remote from direct patient care, she adds, it really isn’t. “The ability to recruit, train, and retain individuals ultimately impacts the care of the patients, families, and our community at large.

The Albany native feeds her passion to help others and to make an impact through work with The Junior League of Albany and as vice president of the Albany ARC board of directors. Animals, she admits, have a special place in her heart. But nothing takes up more of her heart than her family.

“I am so incredibly close to my parents… it would be impossible for my husband and me to balance our careers and our other activities without the love and support of our parents.”

Her husband, Gene, owns Break Away Cycles and they have a son, Barrett, who is 21 months old.

“I read something once that said ‘Someone is praying for the things you taken for granted.’ I try to never forget that,” Sarah adds. “When I think I’m having a bad day or something just isn’t going the way I want, I try and put it in perspective and find the positive. If you’re always looking for the good… then the negative tends to not seem so bad after all.”