Introducing lifestyle change to your HCP with Dr Mitzi Joi Williams | S4E9

Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams is a Board-Certified Neurologist and Fellowship trained Multiple Sclerosis Specialist who serves as the Founder & CEO of the Joi Life Wellness Group Multiple Sclerosis Center in Newnan, GA. Dr. Williams has spearheaded and participated in multiple steering committees and work groups to further research in underserved populations with MS with a focus on the African American population. Dr. Williams is the author of “MS Made Simple: The Essential Guide to Understanding Your Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis.” She continues to live out her mission to provide personalized Multiple Sclerosis Care delivered with expertise, compassion, and joy. 

  

Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.     

    

Topics and Timestamps:  

02:22 Your background is stellar. You have established quite a prestigious career as a neurologist and MS specialist. Can you share a little about your background as a medical professional?  

03:32 What inspired you to focus on MS in your training and practice?  

05:47 Let’s chat about Joi Life Wellness Group. That’s the MS center you founded and lead in Georgia. What are your core principles in this practice?   

06:57 Given that you see a steady stream of people with MS, you must encounter certain common obstacles people have in dealing with their diagnosis all the way to sound MS management and treatment. What are these in your view, and what’s your take on Overcoming them?  

09:41 As you may know, Overcoming MS promotes evidence-based lifestyle modification for better health and MS management. What’s your take on how lifestyle factors fit into treating MS? 

14:53 In your experience as a neurologist specializing in MS, what are some key strategies people with MS can use to discuss lifestyle factors and effective lifestyle modification with their healthcare professionals?  

17:06 What if someone encounters resistance from a doctor or other healthcare professional – how should a patient approach that, or handle that? 

21:57 Do you have any essential tips for people who are newly diagnosed and just entering the complex world of treating their MS in the medical arena?  

24:41 On another note, you’re also quite involved in researching MS’s impact on the African American community. There is much to learn about the prevalence and penetration of MS in different communities. Do you have any insights to share about your work to date?   

29:29 Finally, what is your vision for how you’d like your practice and work in the MS field to evolve and grow?    

  

Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.     
     

More info and links:     

• Learn more about Dr. Williams’ practice, Joi Life Wellness Group  
• Check out Dr. Williams’ Facebook alter ego, The Nerdy Neurologist  
• Follow Dr. Williams on Twitter  
• Learn more about Dr. Williams’ professional background on LinkedIn  
• Watch some of Dr. Williams’ informative videos on her YouTube channel  
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page  
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub 
• Visit the Overcoming MS website    

Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  
• Instagram  
• YouTube  
• Pinterest    

Don’t miss out:  

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.