Today we’d like to introduce you to April Bullock.
Hi April. Can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started in healthcare in 1995 as a midwifery apprentice after the birth of my 1st son at home as a single mom. In 1999, I opened a homebirth midwifery practice with the deep desire to bring respectful care to birthing mothers and their newborns. After many years working as a homebirth midwife, obtaining a Spanish degree, and working in Montessori education, I furthered my education to work as a Nurse Practitioner. My vision was to provide Montessori/midwifery-inspired healthcare for the whole family. This healthcare method is based on the belief that all humans deserve to be treated with love and respect and that they can make informed decisions if given enough information. In 2018, after running a homebirth and Birth Center Midwifery practice since 1999, I opened a Family Health & Wellness Clinic. In addition, I lead Women’s retreats, provide holistic chef services for retreats, and am a 500-hour registered yoga teacher.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, but it has been one that I cannot imagine not taking. When you are on the right path, nothing else must be done but continue. Some of the struggles included working long hours as a midwife while raising children, finding a work-life balance, and integrating and navigating a holistic and traditional medical model of care. Additionally, Teaching myself how to run and operate a business was incredible work. There is no manual on starting your own holistic medical clinic. While I spent countless hours planning my businesses, there was also a lot of just flying by the seat of my pants and taking huge leaps of faith involved.
Let’s switch gears and talk about your work. What should we know?
I run a holistic family medical practice and wellness center, historically serving patients shunned by traditional medical care. As a holistic healthcare nurse practitioner, I value my patients as individuals, meeting them where they are in their healthcare journey. I incorporate traditional diagnostic methods with dietary, herbal, and vitamin counseling to achieve more profound healing. I am a healthcare detective working to get to the root cause of my patients’ health issues. I have a hefty population of people who have autoimmune disorders and chronic healthcare conditions that have previously been undiagnosed. Additionally, I love utilizing my Montessori background when caring for pediatric patients. I strive to find natural solutions to ailments that eliminate the risks of medication side effects. I bring a lifetime of wellness education into each patient interaction and support healthcare choices. I am most proud of the community I have built in Austin and central Texas. We lack community and true connection today, and I love bringing health care back to a more grassroots community arena. In addition to providing personalized medical care, I provide a space for numerous other health care providers and classes such as yoga training, mother’s groups, childbirth classes, massage, counseling, and homeopathy. What sets me apart from so many other wellness clinics is my direct and personal involvement with my patients and all my tenants; I truly view my clinic and wellness center as a family.
Can you talk to us about the role of luck?
There is always a bit of luck in life and business. And certainly always a bit of luck in a successful business. I believe that even “bad” luck has ultimately turned into success. I wouldn’t have found my forever home for my business had I not run into “bad” luck with my lease running up. COVID hit as I ramped up my family practice, which felt like the worst luck ever. I lost most of my tenants and was forced to revamp how I provided care altogether. However, I was able to provide excellent care for so many patients who live on the fringe as far as insurance goes and have built great relationships with so many patients as a result.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.austinfamilyhealthclinic.com
- Instagram: @familyhealthandwellnessatx
Image Credits
Susan Potter- images 1-4, Brooke Carter images 5-6
