Today we’d like to introduce you to April Franchi.
Hi April, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am April Franchi, a board certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and CEO of La Vita e Bella Wellness Center LLC,
a Nurse Practitioner led clinic in Ohio
I have been in the medical field for 25 years & have worked in many different specialties throughout my nursing career. I first started as an LPN, with a diploma from The Akron School of Practical Nursing & then went on to further my education with a Bachelor’s & then a Master’s degree in the Science of Nursing from The University of Akron.
After graduation, I was awarded my Adult Nurse Practitioner certification through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. In addition to my work at the university, I received my health coaching certificate from the National Society of Health Coaches and have advanced training in nutrition, medical weight loss & men’s health. I have had the honor of having may wonderful mentors, coaches and colleagues who have inspired my career path.
Education gave me the title “Nurse Practitioner, but my patients have given me the love, purpose and passion for my career.
I love taking care of people and helping them to achieve their highest level of wellness while empowering them to live their best life.
Opening my own clinic has always been a dream of mine. You see, I am a little bit like my dad – business owner and entrepreneur and a little bit like my mom who was a registered nurse. Add that to my love of caring for people and passion to see amazing results and here we are.
Over the past few years, God has slowly and steadily opened all of the doors for me to be able to start this wellness center and I feel so incredibly blessed to be sharing this new journey with all of Ohio
The name La Vita e Bella Wellness Center was inspired by a trip I took to Europe . Everything about it was absolutely amazing & reminded me how beautiful life is. “La Vita e Bella”- is Italian for Life Is Beautiful!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
From the very beginning, everything just seemed to fall into place — from securing the ideal office space to quickly filling my schedule with patients. Honestly, it’s been a pretty smooth transition for me — and I know that’s not something every entrepreneur can say. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a strong support system behind me — my boyfriend, my family, my friends and so many amazing colleagues in the medical community. Their encouragement made all the difference as I stepped into building La Vita e Bella Wellness Center but above all, I give all of the glory to God, who has opened up all of the doors and continues to light the way for my practice. James
(James 1:17: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows)
If I had to choose an obstacle, it would be finding the right collaborating physician. In Ohio, nurse practitioners are required by law to have a collaborating physician agreement in order to practice independently, which can be one of the most challenging parts of opening a wellness practice.
Thankfully, one of my best friends referred me to an incredible physician who turned out to be the perfect partner to share this journey with. He truly values wellness, loves to learn, and is just as passionate about patient care as I am. Not only is he highly knowledgeable, but he’s also been incredibly supportive and encouraging every step of the way. It’s been a beautiful, collaborative partnership that has allowed my vision to grow and flourish.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At La Vita e Bella Wellness Center, I provide primary care with a twist of functional medicine. I offer a wide range of services including personalized weight loss plans (both lifestyle-based and medical weight loss), direct primary care, sick visits, sports physicals, testosterone optimization, men’s health, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, and mental health care. I take the time with each and every patient to truly get to the root cause of their symptoms and promote healing, rather than just putting a Band-Aid on their concerns. I provide each patient with an in-depth education about their health and wellness picture, and together we develop a personalized plan that focuses on their specific goals. No two plans are ever the same because no two patients are the same. I strive to help each one of my clients reach their goals with sustainable, lifelong changes and bring them to their optimal level of health so they can look and feel their best.
What I’m most proud of is the personal connection I build with my patients. I believe health care should never feel rushed or impersonal. Every patient deserves to be heard, understood, and supported. I’m also proud to see all of the amazing wellness results and the real improvements in my patients’ health and lives — watching those transformations is truly the heart of why I do what I do.
What sets me apart is my personalized, whole-person approach. By blending traditional primary care with functional medicine principles, I help patients not only manage their health but optimize it. I empower them with education, guidance, and tools to take control of their wellness. Seeing their progress and being part of their journey is the most rewarding part of what I do
In addition to La Vita e Bella Wellness Center, I also have a non-profit that I started in 2019 in honor of my grandma, its called Bubbie’s Blessings. We reach out to local Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities to provide a visit with the seniors. We bring them a little Christmas gift and/or card. This is such a special time and just a joy – many of them not longer have family/friends that visit so its so heartwarming to put a smile on their face –especially around the holiday time. To date we have delivered 10,7 48 blessings. This year we are collecting small lap blankets and cards to be delivered.
I also run a facebook group that I created to help women make new friends with other women in the community. The Friendship Basket: Fierce Female Friendships. We do alot of networking –professional and personal, keep each other positive, lifted up and supported. We have online gatherings and local events/gatherings for fellowship. To date we have 3.1k members.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My biggest piece of advice when it comes to finding a mentor is to stay open, curious, and connected. Often, the best relationships happen organically through shared passions and professional circles. I’ve been very fortunate to have amazing colleagues, friends, and healthcare professionals around me who’ve inspired, encouraged, and guided me along the way.
Don’t be afraid to reach out, ask questions, or learn from those who are a few steps ahead of you. Look for mentors who not only have the knowledge and experience you admire but who also genuinely want to see you succeed. Surrounding yourself with people who support your growth makes all the difference.
Networking doesn’t have to feel forced — for me, it’s been about building real, authentic connections and nurturing them over time. The right mentor will not only teach you but also challenge and inspire you to become the best version of yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lavitaebellawellnesscenter.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14QtqWRPwFA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://share.google/ph9L46OS0U4DLRpGc
