Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to April Soto. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

April, appreciate you joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

Changing my mindset from employee to entrepreneur is how I opened my own practice. I often like to say that I have stretch marks on my brain from all the changes I have made to be where I am today! Opening my medical practice was not the safe route and was definitely a leap of faith.

I worked for corporate medicine for many years and while I am grateful for my time there, I learned that I enjoyed spending time listening to patients rather than doing paperwork. I found that opening a direct primary care practice allows me to listen without rushing. I am able to use patient insurance for labs, medicines and imaging in most cases but there is no insurance between myself and my patients. I offer this as a monthly membership and it allows greater access to high quality care.

Patients are not always use to this so they have to change their mindset as well and the beautiful thing is that I am patient with myself and others as we all change.

Small changes lead to tremendous shifts and being consistent is how we create the life of our dreams!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Being a doctor and spending time listening to patients is a beautiful way to connect with others. I love this work because it is about human connection, relationships and creating a beautiful life that starts with our health. I offer direct primary care services, which is a monthly membership where patients have access to calling, visits and texting with no hidden fees and easier access to care. I also offer mental health services with Ketamine and Breathwork assisted treatments for anxiety, depression and PTSD. It is also exciting that I am offering Platelet Rich Plasma injections for joint, tendon and muscle pain and soon to offer scalp injections for hair growth. Menopause is near and dear to my heart and I am offering these services as well. A holistic approach is how I think about my patients with my core values of patient safety and transparency.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Yes! I love being a doctor and enjoy connecting with my patients! It is a priviliedge to support my patients in connecting to their own inner healer! I love offering a variety of services with a holistic approach that is based on listening to my patients and spending the time they need.

Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?

I have self funded my new practice and this was done by living on savings and being mindful of spending. Keeping overhead low has been of utmost importance. Starting small and steadily growing has also been a way to move forward with this. I also have taken side jobs as I build my practice to support myself as I organically grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lalimhealth.com
• Instagram: @lalimhealth
• Facebook: aprilsotomd
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/april-soto-4b452874

Image Credits

Hector Martinez (photo of me)
The rest of the photos I took of my office