Bio:   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 is considered a subject matter expert in Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis and Health Disparities. She has over 15 years of experience in the field of Multiple Sclerosis. She received her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and received her Doctor of Medicine Degree from Morehouse School of Medicine also in Atlanta, Georgia. She completed her Internal Medicine Internship, Neurology Residency, and Multiple Sclerosis Fellowship at Georgia Health Sciences University (formerly MCG) in Augusta, GA, where she received numerous accolades and served as Chief Resident of the Neurology Residency Program.   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. She has recently joined efforts to increase diversity in clinical trials and educate the community about the importance of research participation. Through collaborations with national and international committees, she advocates for people living with MS to share in the decision-making process with their healthcare teams to combat this disease. 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.    Questions:   Welcome to the program Dr. Williams, and thanks so much for joining us on Living Well with MS. Let’s dive right in. 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? What inspired you to focus on MS in your training and practice? 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? 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? As you may know, the organization behind this podcast – 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? Our content theme for April is ‘advocacy’, so in that spirit, and 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? What if someone encounters resistance from a doctor or other healthcare professional – how should a patient approach that, or handle that? 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? 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? Finally, what is your vision for how you’d like your practice and work in the MS field to evolve and grow? Thanks so much for being our guest on Living Well with MS, Dr. Williams. We are excited about and grateful for the amazing work you’re doing in the MS community.   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’ profession