Voyage Ohio Interview

Daily Inspiration: Meet Dr. Bridget Cole WilliamsToday we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Bridget Cole Williams.Hi Dr. Williams, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.

My story starts with wanting to actually go into medicine because I wanted to change it. My father had colon cancer when I was growing up and he died when I was 12. Undoubtedly something like this changes the course of your life. I spent a lot of time in hospitals by his side and was frustrated with the team of physicians that would walk in, not acknowledging my mother, myself, or even my father. They would talk about him instead of with him. Over and over again I said, “I could do so much better.” Fast forward to me starting medical school at Michigan State and I was definitely different from my peers. I was a psychology major coming into healthcare to change it. My focus was patient care and chose family medicine because of that. Fast forward again to starting my career at the Cleveland Clinic in family medicine, I became frustrated quickly. For every patient there is a diagnosis and for every diagnosis there was a pill. The art of medicine and focus on patient care seemed to have dwindled. The computer was a barrier between myself and the patient. Pharmaceuticals tended to be the only acceptable answer to every ailment. I started focusing on helping my patients that were frustrated as well. Together, we developed a plan on how to get off of medications. I scheduled these remarkable patients during my lunch hour and at the end of the day so I had more time to learn who they were and to help them develop their wellness goals. One patient mentioned cannabis and I was stunned. To me, cannabis was a drug that derailed users’ lives. When I started researching cannabis to inform her of the error of her ways, I discovered research, science, medicine, and healing. I followed this patient on her journey to balance her diabetes and helped with dosing and timing of her edibles and smoking. I saw her health and mental wellness change more than any medications I could offer. When cannabis became a legal option in Ohio, I knew I wanted to be a part of this. I created Green Harvest Health Medical Cannabis and Integrative Clinics. My focus was patient care again and learning what they needed to find wellness and balance in their lives.We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?I definitely had a rough road, I made a choice to not go with my natural inclination to become a psychologist but to go to medicine to find a way to help people in a way I wish healthcare could have helped my father. Swimming upstream is never easy. I struggled to find peers that had the compassion that I had. I struggled proving myself to my teachers and senior physicians. I developed insecurities at times and lost my voice and vision. Imposter syndrome is when one begins to doubt their own worth and abilities and that you have not earned your position. Like many, I had to combat this over and over to find my success. I believe overcoming these challenges is what makes me relatable to my patients and keeps my focus on finding strong positive peers as to help one another grow. There is always a greater plan and struggles occur to prepare you for your greatness.Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?Besides owning a medical cannabis office and being a personal development strategist (life coach), I own two CBD lines which I formulate and develop. I do speaking engagements across the US sharing the medicinal benefits of cannabis/CBD and how to reclaim your wellness. My approach is relatable and engaging to help people see their health differently. What I am most proud of is my book series, Courage in Cannabis. Is an anthology series that brings people together to write their own story on how cannabis has changed their lives. It is inspirational, empowering. Our first book was a #1 best seller on Amazon. We are currently working on our second book. My desire to find creative ways to engage with my community and patients is what sets me apart.What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?The most important lesson I have learned is to believe in myself. To believe in my creativity, my perspective, my strength, my knowledge, my leadership ability and to believe in my journey. We live in a culture where outside influences are incredibly demanding and everyone has an opinion about everything we do. Listening to my inner voice and following my own unique path is vital to my fulfillment, confidence, and happiness. It influences the products I create and curate for my CBD brands, the people I choose to work with, and the direction of my career.Contact Info:- Website: GreenHarvest.Health- Instagram: @greenharvesthealth. | @myembodylife | @drbridgetmd- Facebook: @GreenHarvestHealth | @DrBridget Williams- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/DrBridgetMD- Other: www.MyEmbodyLife.com