Together, they work to uphold faith-based principles in service to the community. Even its name, “vitae,” which is derived from the Latin word for “life,” reflects its mission of offering obstetrical and gynecological care for women of all ages, faiths and circumstances.

“Our clinic welcomes women from diverse backgrounds who value a natural and individualized approach to care, all in a judgment-free environment,” said Vitae Clinic and JPII Life Center CEO Linda Ruf. “Services are aligned with Catholic teachings, offering comprehensive services with a faith-based approach to health care that Catholic women and women of all religious faiths can trust.”

Those services include everything from prenatal and postpartum care, labor and delivery, wellness exams, natural family planning, counseling, ultrasounds, infertility support and menopausal hormone treatment. The clinic accepts a wide array of insurance plans and payment methods.

“The partnership between the Vitae Clinic and the JPII Life Center represents a unique, award-winning pregnancy care model,” Ruf said. “Together we have empowered more than 3,000 women to choose life for their babies while providing medical care and needed resources to guide them toward emotional and financial stability.

Focusing on a personalized and natural approach to women’s health, Vitae Clinic provides a team of two board-certified OB/GYNs, a nurse practitioner, registered nurses, sonographers, medical assistants and administrative staff.

“What drew me to the clinic was a more personal approach to my job. I take pride in the work we do for our patients and am honored to help them all,” said Erin Stevens, a sonographer at the clinic. “I take comfort in knowing the environment we offer is one where they feel valued and I feel blessed to be a part of.”

The need for this type of life-affirming care and professional, ethical and compassionate medical services is on the rise. As moms face unplanned pregnancies and more women seek natural care, the Vitae Clinic and JPII Life Center are expanding to better serve the community.

Last year a building was purchased that is conveniently located near Ascension Seton Hospital in downtown Austin, where Vitae Clinic doctors deliver babies and perform surgical procedures. As demand for services grows, so does the need for staff. Vitae is actively recruiting an additional OB/GYN and recently added the services of a psychiatrist specializing in women’s well-being. Clinic employees, regardless of religious affiliation, agree to respect the Catholic Church’s teachings on matters of faith and morals.

“Being a nurse practitioner at the Vitae Clinic is a dream job for me. It’s such a blessing to practice in a setting that’s in line with my Catholic values and with coworkers who also reflect those values,” said Samantha Padilla, a nurse practitioner.

Having physicians on hand every day allows care to be consistently delivered and creates a degree of confidence and self-assurance for clients. Over the years, the center and clinic have helped mothers and families thrive and taught countless women and girls to optimize and understand fertility. Armed with medical-grade pregnancy tests, an on-site lab and 3D/4D ultrasounds, the clinic equips its clients with the confidence to make informed choices; choices that resonate in the hearts and minds of many.

“We want to demonstrate that when a community comes together to support mothers, babies and young families, the idea of abortion becomes unthinkable,” Ruf said.

In addition to pregnancy care and support, the Vitae Clinic has hundreds of success stories involving natural family planning, including women who were told by their previous physician that they couldn’t conceive. Through the center’s infertility education and care, many have gone on to have children naturally and without the use of in vitro fertilization.

Ruf said the mission of the clinic is rooted in Christ-centered values.

“Providing the highest level of compassionate and nonjudgmental care to all women guides every aspect of our mission and care. By living out these principles, the clinic and center reflect the love and service of Christ in every way,” Ruf said.

Editor’s note: Earlier this year, the Catholic Spirit featured Austin’s John Paul II Life Center (JPII), a faith-based nonprofit organization committed to saving babies and mothers from abortion through free pregnancy help services, holistic health care and education programs. This month we spotlight the Vitae Clinic, which provides life-affirming health-care services to women of all ages.

For more information about the Vitae Clinic, call (512) 458-6060 or visit vitaeaustin.com. For more information about volunteering or donating to the JPII Life Center, call (512) 407-2900.