Today we’d like to introduce you to April Soto
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Becoming a doctor has been a lifelong dream for me. I enjoy getting to know my patients and hearing their stories. Everyone has a tale to tell, and listening is an important part of medical care. Working for a large hospital system for 13+ years allowed me to cultivate my abilities and develop skills in caring for a wide variety of patients. After those 13+ years, I felt like I wanted to expand and grow in new ways.
Opening my practice in August of 2023 was another realized dream come true. I enjoy listening to my patients and having my own practice allows me to do so without rushing. I started out small and am steadily growing and have also expanded my office space.
I am where I am today because of perseverance, commitment, creativity, a sense of humor, drive, being comfortable with the discomfort associated with growth, family support, my amazing husband Chris, my patients along with a strong sense of love for self and others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been beautiful but not smooth. I have needed to use parts of my brain never used before. Thinking in terms of cost-effective medical care has always been a part of my repertoire but now I also need to consider this while making sure I keep my doors open. The patients I serve need me to stay afloat to continue to care for them. Learning the laws and legal structure surrounding the medical practices is important.
An important lesson has been to not to try to offer too many services nor expand too quickly. Doing a few things well is important. Taking some of that pressure off, and no longer feel the need to be all things to my patients, has been soothing to my soul. The fact that I can refer to the specialists and other medical centers allows patients to receive the care they deserve while allowing me to focus on the needs I am able to support.
I have also learned that creativity is essential. Being able to take things seriously but myself not too seriously is important. It has also been refreshing to recognize that I am the final decision maker in the business practice. Trusting my own intuition has been powerful. There have been course corrections needed along the way and I take those as lessons and experience.
Exercising healthy boundaries has been highly important. Being clear with communication facilitates healthy relationships. I believe that with patient care, making decisions as a team is empowering. I respect the patient perspective and appreciate it when they also allow me to present them with valuable information. I have also learned that patients appreciate me taking care of myself because it means I can better take care of them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
LALIM Health has a few offerings. The first is Direct Primary Care. This is a subscription-based model where patients pay a flat monthly fee for access to in person or virtual visits along with texting, emails and phone calls. The difference between this and concierge care is the fee structure where Direct Primary Care tends to be more accessible. One can think about this with the analogy of automobile insurance. We typically do not use our auto insurance for regular maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations and reserve that for higher cost services. And the beauty of this is that if we regularly maintain our vehicles, this can oftentimes prevent the need for bigger ticket items and services. The same can be said for our human bodies. If we regularly maintain and engage in preventative services, we oftentimes can prevent hospitalizations and need higher level of care.
Direct Primary Care can save money, time and reduce the burden of suffering. One of the greatest predictors of patient outcomes is their relationship with their provider. With Direct Primary Care, relationships based on trust and care are key components. Patients are listened to and supported while not being rushed out the door. There are no hidden fees. High-quality care, transparent pricing and patient safety are our priority.
We are also expanding services to hormonal replacement therapy for both cisgender and transgender patients along with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections for joint pain. We are also excited to soon be offering PRP facial and skin treatments. Some of these services are separate from the monthly membership but can be added to the membership with cost savings and accessibility.
LALIM Health also offers psychedelic treatment services with Ketamine along with Breathwork for those needing emotional and mental support from challenges in their life experience. These treatments can help support patients experiencing PTSD, anxiety and depression to name a few. Initial consultation for medical clearance is approximately 60-90 minutes and the journeys are scheduled for 3 hours.
We can spend time with patients with initial Direct Primary Care visits approximately 90 min-120 minutes and follow up visits 30-60 minutes. Patients need to be heard, valued and listened to and we pride ourselves in that at LALIM Health.
We also pride ourselves in offering quicker access to visits without having to wait for weeks for the next available appointment. This is revolutionary medicine where working with patients as a team is prioritized.
At LALIM Health, we believe that patients can connect with their own inner healer and can heal themselves. We are here to facilitate, witness and provide information to support patients in making the best decisions for themselves.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I am grateful to all my teachers-from childhood on. I also am blessed to have had a great mentor Dr Yuli @yulimd who has helped me understand the beauty of direct primary care. It has also been magnificent to have my greatest cheerleader of all, my beautiful husband Chris! My strong faith has kept me going during tough storms and this has been my rock!
Pricing:
- $299 for initial visit and $200/month thereafter for membership model. This allows for texting, calling, in person or video visit with no additional fees. Most people fit into this model
- For those who prefer a-la-carte: $599 initial visit and $250 follow up appointments
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lalimhealth.com
- Instagram: lalimhealth
- Facebook: aprilsotomd
Image Credits
Hector Martinez
