Parker County Today Aug 2018 | Page 29

PARKER COUNTY TODAY : Where are you from originally ? DR . APRIL MIKES : I ’ m from a small town just south of San Antonio called La Vernia . I went to school there from K-12th grade and graduated from La Vernia High School . I went to Texas A & M my freshman year of college , but made the ultimate conversion from an Aggie to a Longhorn when I transferred from Texas A & M to UT after marrying my husband , as he lived in Austin at the time .
PCT : How long have you been in Parker County ? How do you like it here ? AM : One year , and I LOVE IT . It very much reminds me of what my home was like growing up . I love the feel of being out of the city limits of Fort Worth , living a bit more rural , and the general kindness of “ country folk .” Yet we are still close enough to the city that the commute into town is easy . I have made many friends quickly in this wonderful county . Despite its size , it still has a smalltown feel , which I love .
PCT : How long have you been practicing medicine ? AM : I practiced as a resident physician for four years at John Peter Smith in Fort Worth prior to moving out to Parker County . I have now been in private practice with Weatherford OB / GYN Associates for nearly one year .
PCT : Why did you pick your chosen field of practice ? AM : I received some advice prior to entering medical school when contemplating which field of medicine I wished to pursue , and it always stuck with me . He said , “ Pick something you ’ re good at and something you like , and hopefully it ’ s the same thing .” He very well may have been joking , but for me , nothing fit both those categories more than obstetrics and gynecology . Also , my husband and I decided to start our family when I was in medical school . I had my first two daughters while in medical school ( year one and year three ), so during my early years of medical school I was spending a lot of time with my OB / GYN , Dr . Elizabeth Wagner . Dr . Wagner graduated from the same medical school I was attending . She was a successful female physician and she had a family ( I believe two daughters of her own ). I remember thinking to myself , “ It can be done !” She was kind enough to allow me to shadow her during the day as a first-year medical student . After one full day , there was no question , this was the only job I ever wanted to do . It was definitely “ something I liked ,” and I was hoping later it would be “ something I was good at ,” as well . As an OB / GYN , your day is never the exact same day to day . Some days I ’ m in the office , some days I ’ m in the operating room . Other days I spend the majority of my time in labor and delivery . And on really fun days I ’ m working in all three places . I first realized this while shadowing Dr . Wagner and it always resonated with me . She was a big inspiration to me , and I ’ m very grateful to have been her patient .
PCT : What do you find most chal-
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Bridal Fair and Fashion Show

September 27 , 2018
5:30 - 8:00 p . m . Fashion Show 7:00 p . m .
Stillwater Meadow 9842 E . Bankhead Highway
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AUGUST 2018 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
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