Perez Pratt: Thank you so much, April! Let’s start by having you tell us a little about yourself and your role here at Wellness Home.
April Guilliams: Of course! My name is April, and I’ve been a nurse since 2007. I’ve worked in the ER and psychiatric units, and I became a psychiatric nurse practitioner in 2019.
I’ve always been passionate about helping people who are most in need of access to care. Here at Wellness Health, I serve as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I guide clients on their mental health journey, helping them achieve wellness.
When clients meet with me, we discuss their psychiatric and medical histories, review their symptoms, establish a diagnosis, and develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to help them reach their goals.
Perez Pratt: Welcome again to Wellness Home! You mentioned that your love for helping people is what drove you into psychiatric nursing. Could you share a little more about that? Any personal experiences that inspired you to enter this field?
April Guilliams:Â Unfortunately, my story is a bit tragic. When my son was younger, he had a very close friend whose family we were deeply connected to. Sadly, that young man struggled with mental health issues and ultimately took his own life.
At the time, I was already a nurse, but that experience opened my eyes to the mental health crisis in our community. Many people, whether due to stigma, lack of resources, or other barriers, simply didn’t have access to the care they needed. That loss became a personal battle cry for me. I made it my mission to ensure that no other life would be lost because help wasn’t available.
Perez Pratt: That’s such a powerful and moving story. Why did you choose Wellness Home in particular?
April Guilliams: It’s an interesting journey. Initially, I wasn’t even looking for a new job. I had decided I wanted to serve my home community in Bridgeport, a close-knit neighborhood in Chicago.
During my search, I was hoping to find a location where I could meet clients face-to-face. I actually reached out to the Wellness Center initially to see if I could rent an office space!
Through conversations with their team, I was blown away by the people I met and the organization’s mission. Learning more about the Wellness Home Program—and its commitment to helping underserved communities—aligned perfectly with my personal and professional goals. That’s how this opportunity started to take shape.
Perez Pratt: Wow, that really shows we’re on the right path! Tell me, what are two things you love about Wellness Home so far?
April Guilliams: First, the atmosphere! When you walk through the doors, you’re met with bright smiles, a clean, welcoming environment, and genuinely friendly people.
Second, the access to care here is incredible. Unlike many places where there’s a three- to six-month wait to see a provider, Wellness Home is streamlined and responsive. I also admire how much time, energy, and effort they dedicate to bringing mental health services to underserved areas—not just in Bridgeport, but also in communities like Back of the Yards.
Perez Pratt: Thank you! My last question is—what makes you happy outside of work? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
April Guilliams: I love to travel! We’ve spent time exploring England and France, as well as visiting several beautiful national parks across the U.S.
Perez Pratt: Thank you so much for sharing your story and your time, April. It’s been wonderful speaking with you.
