September 30, 2024
Meet April Nortrup
Clinic Administrator
Where are you from? 
I was born and raised in St. Louis. My entire family is from St. Louis, and I am grateful for the opportunity to live in a place where I am surrounded by family and friends. I went to college in the area, and received my Bachelors degree at Lindenwood University where I also played soccer. I left St. Louis for a short while to attend Illinois State University where I received my Masters degree and then quickly ventured back to St. Louis. Early in my career, I turned down job offers to work and live in other cities, and I am so happy that I stayed in St. Louis.
What brought you to Washington University Orthopedics?
Washington University Orthopedics has a reputation for providing excellent patient care and is always at the forefront of the best orthopedic research in the country. I enjoy working with people who are innovative and forward thinking.
How do you support the department?
I have been with the department over 14 years and I have supported the department in various roles. When I first started with the department, I implemented a durable medical equipment (DME) and Ortho Tech program. Both programs are still in place today and continue to grow and develop.
The DME program provided a convenient way for our patients to receive bracing and equipment options at the time of their appointment while ensuring patients were fitted and educated properly. The Ortho Tech program created learning, growth, and educational opportunities for our staff who were applying casts, splints, and clinical support to our patients.
I also managed our Sports Medicine Service and then moved on to open and manage the Progress West clinical site. In October of 2020 I moved to Barnes West County to oversee clinical operations for our Joint and Spine Center and The Living Well Center.
Today, I oversee day to day operations for several sites and clinical projects for Barnes West County, Children’s Specialty Care Center West County, 969 Mason Rd, and new site developments. I am responsible for making sure these sites meet the standards for all inspections, site improvement initiatives, meeting budgetary goals, implementation of new processes, managing provider schedules, medical equipment interfaces, and supply management. I work closely with our clinic directors, BJC/St. Louis Children’s Hospital partners, and WashU leadership teams to establish workflows and processes that support our staff and meet the needs of our patients.
I also oversee day to day operations and staff management of The Living Well Center. I work closely with Dr. Hunt and The Living Well Center team which uses the seven pillars of lifestyle medicine to treat patients who may need to make lifestyle changes in order to receive a surgical procedure or decrease musculoskeletal pain.
What aspect of your work do you find most interesting and rewarding?
The most interesting part is being able to start a project from the beginning, work through the process and see the success and impact at the end. Sometimes, this can be a long journey, but I am always ready for an operational challenge, creative discussions, and implementations. I have had the opportunity to witness this with the DME program implementation, new site buildouts, equipment interface projects, and The Living Well Center. I have enjoyed learning from each project and using what I learned for future projects.
The most rewarding aspect of my work is having the opportunity to help someone. This could be a patient, provider, or one of my team members. In my role, I get the opportunity to work in many different areas within our department and I enjoy trying to create excellent experiences for our patients as well as helping our team members have a good experience during the day and assisting them meet their long-term goals such as their career development. I have had the opportunity to have several mentors in my life who have helped me, and I think this is why I enjoy helping others succeed.
Another rewarding aspect is the people I get to work with every day. Not only do I get the opportunity to work with intelligent and innovative thinkers at Washington University, but I also get to work with some of the most generous and caring people I know. People usually go into the health care field because they are interested in helping others, and some days this can be challenging, but it is definitely easier to do when you work in a caring culture.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? 
I have lots of hobbies and prefer to spend my “hobby time” with my family. I enjoy hiking, kayaking, golfing, traveling, cooking, entertaining, photography, digital scrapbooking and like many, I have also started to enjoy the new craze of pickle ball. We are a “soccer family” and quickly became STL City fans and have had the opportunity to attend several games. When I am not participating in one my favorite hobbies you can find me at the soccer fields or hockey rinks cheering on my own kids.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
“Don’t be afraid to take chances, because the greatest failure is not to try.”
"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” –Pele’
If you weren't in healthcare, what would you like to be doing?
Traveling photographer for National Geographic or coaching youth soccer, which I have done and hope to do again someday.
Learn why patient's choose Washington University Orthopedics, request an appointment online or call (314) 514-3500.