Today we’d like to introduce you to April Morris.
Hi April, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am originally from Arlington, TX and I started my career in healthcare 23 years ago as an RN in the ER. I eventually returned to the University of Texas at Arlington to continue my education where I obtained a Masters degree in Science of Nursing as well as my Post Masters education as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I have worked in family practice, internal medicine, hospice, emergency care as well as pediatrics, and thru that experience I determined that I wanted to start my own primary care practice in a manner in which I could better serve my patients. I started my own practice 7 years ago as a Direct Primary Care model. Momentum Health and Wellness PLLC was born out of the philosophy of care that allows patients to receive care that is individualized, convenient, and makes sense compared to most insurance driven healthcare. At Momentum Health we provide a “concierge” type care but for the everyday person/family. We do not bill insurance for our care but rather have a membership fee that enables me to provide comprehensive primary and wellness care at an affordable price, convenient and most of all what the patients wants and needs, rather than what insurance dictates. I provide direct access for my patients to their provider and create a plan of care that works for them. I have a passion for helping my patients achieve their health goals and then helping them match their outward appearance to how good they feel internally. As a busy Mom of 3 teenagers, wife, and small business owner I feel like I have an understanding of what most people are looking for in a healthcare provider, and I aim to be that provider that they need.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely NOT been a smooth road but worth every bump along the way. As a young adult I struggled to pay for my education and work fulltime while going thru undergraduate school and graduate school. I had an 18 month old son when I entered the FNP program and then gave birth to my twin daughters in my last few weeks of my graduate program. I had newborn twins in NICU while I studied for my board exam. I became a Nurse Practitioner when most people did not even understand what that was and what we did. As a new NP I spent most of my time explaining how I am different than a physician and what I can do for them. Now 14 years later things have improved in that arena, however starting my own practice as a woman and a Nurse Practitioner brought on another challenge in and of itself. In Texas, NPs still require a Collaborating physician to own and operate their own practice, unlike 27 and counting other states. That means there are many additional steps, barriers and financial costs for an NP as myself to be able to own their own practice. I worked 2 jobs equaling more than fulltime hours while starting my practice from patient zero. I am so thankful now my business is growing and flourishing so that I can focus all of my effort and time on my own practice. It was worth working those 60-80 hour work weeks, 7 days a week.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My practice is a Direct Primary Care practice that specializes in wellness and aesthetic services. I am a membership model therefore I do not collect copays or fees for visits, nor do I bill insurance for my care. I do however work with insurance companies to advocate for my patients and get diagnostics, care and medications approved. I provide wellness services that include bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, NAD+ and vitamin infusions/injections and medically managed weight loss on top of my comprehensive primary care. I also provide aesthetic treatments that produce natural results such as bio stimulating aesthetic injections, neuromodulators such as botox, PRF treatments and filler, that are performed with a more natural aesthetic technique. What sets me apart from others is a comprehensive approach to care that is provided by a healthcare provider that cares about knowing you and your history so she can better treat your needs. I offer newer and up and coming treatments such as NAD+ infusions, but what sets me apart from other facilities offering these infusions is that I offer them in a way that is always based on science and clinical protocols and monitored by a licensed provider and not just a trained staff member. In my aesthetic procedures, I feel that what sets me apart from other practices, is my focus on natural looking results while also providing significant but affordable options for both women and men. I am most proud of my brand for being known for healthcare that “makes sense” and is affordable and convenient. I want readers to know that they have a choice and options in healthcare, and they do not have to settle for poor care or care that doesn’t work for them and their lifestyle.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice is to grow at a rate in which you can keep your overhead and expenses as low as possible. That may mean slower growth but it will pay ten fold in revenue in the long run and make your business more sustainable. Sweat equity is your biggest asset and I wish I could have seen how much that would pay off in the future in those early days of my business when I felt like giving up.
Pricing:
- Direct Primary Care membership starts at $149/mth with discounted rates for family members
- True Tox membership-$189/mth
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.momentumhealthandwellness.com
- Instagram: momentumhealthandwellness
- Facebook: Momentum Health and Wellness PLLC
