Dr. Sarita Said-Said and Tyler Volkmann Share Their Love Story
Dr. Sarita Said-Said and Tyler Volkmann met at a coffee shop halfway between their respective workplaces in 2017 and struck up a conversation instantly, not about health care, but archery.
“We hit it off right away,” she said.
Tyler Volkmann and Dr. Sarita Said-Said, both employees at Gritman Medical Center, have been married for around 6 years.
Tyler, who works as Gritman’s Athletic Trainer for Moscow High School, was improving his skills in archery, and Dr. Sarita Said-Said, now a Neurologist in partnership with Gritman, had a newfound interest in the hobby. For their first date, they went to an archery range, and Sarita was “good from the get-go,” Tyler said. For their second date, they attended a live comedy show together.
The couple got married three years later in 2020, after relocating to Moscow so Dr. Said-Said could join Palouse Neurology in Moscow.
Palouse Neurology is part of Palouse Specialty Physicians, a regional health care partnership between Gritman Medical Center, Pullman Regional Hospital and Whitman Hospital & Medical Clinics. Through this partnership, patients are referred to Dr. Said-Said from all over the Palouse and surrounding areas.
“It’s been very nice to be able to spearhead the care from the ground up and connect with the Family Medicine providers,” she said. “It’s been a delight to work with them.”
Dr. Said-Said was born and raised in Venezuela before moving to the United States, having the opportunity to train medically in both countries. Her background gives her a unique perspective when treating patients.
“I would like them to know my mind is open and I will always listen,” she said.
Tyler had not worked in the medical field before meeting his future spouse. When the need arose for a Neurologist in the Moscow area, he looked into a career in Physical Therapy before discovering his passion for Athletic Training.
He works exclusively with student-athletes as part of Gritman’s community outreach program. Tyler helps with everything from sprains and dislocations to acute injuries in order to help students prevent and recover from their athletic injuries.
“It’s a very rewarding job,” he said.
The role allows him to work with patients in a flexible way, connecting with the student athletes one on one. Tyler acts as a mentor for Moscow High School students as an athlete himself, having earned a black belt in both jiu-jitsu and judo.
Though they practice in different locations and in different roles, working for the same organization with many of the same people has allowed them to feel more invested in the local community.
“That’s what has kept us rooted here,” Tyler said. “The sense of community is something unlike we had ever seen before.”
The pair describe “great synergy” between their two careers. Their roles overlap in the kinds of patients they see, and they have a knowledgeable perspective of the other’s specialties. That knowledge base aligns with a shared vision of providing high-quality care and making Moscow a better place for their patients.
“You don’t have to live in a metro area or city to have access to good quality care,” Sarita said.
The couple have further built their family around the local community, raising two young children in Moscow, where they enjoy interests as varied as standup comedy, the arts and the outdoors. They are also self-proclaimed foodies.
Their advice for others this Valentine’s Day is a phrase they often say to each other when facing challenges: “kill them with kindness.” It helps them keep perspective when life gets tough.
“Love and kindness can take you far,” she said.
Additionally, their advice for other couples is to remember that both people in a relationship are on the same team.
“We’re here to help each other and build each other up,” he said.
Thank you, Sarita and Tyler, for inspiring others with your commitment to your patients, your community and each other. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Pictured at Top: Dr. Sarita Said-Said and Tyler Volkmann share their love story.
