Meet Dr. Jai Johnson | Medical provider, Author, Legal Consultant, Fashion Mentor/Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Jai Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Jai, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Illinois and raised in Alabama. My background and upbringing has paved the roads for this journey we call LIFE. My life has been playing out this way since high school with struggles and life threatening incidents. My dad was winding on his circuitous path when he struck a bridge. We were all in the car with him and absorbed the crash’s impact. I was hospitalized for several months as I recovered, missing the final months of my senior year. My brother nearly lost his arm due to his injuries, and I naturally came to his aid as best as possible, even while dealing with my injuries. The healing process was long and slow; we all dealt with it differently. I remember having to miss my senior prom seemed like a new, cruel joke. It had been a bright spot and a source of excitement all year, and losing it seemed like a punishment for something I didn’t even cause. Missing a dance doesn’t sound like such a big deal. Lots of people lose their prom, but the action represents what would become a troubling habit of forgetting myself because of others’ reactions and mistakes. All these complications that were out of my control dictated what I could and couldn’t do. Missing that dance seemed like an acceptance of something I wouldn’t shake for years. For whatever reason, I was learning that I deserved to suffer for things out of my control. It was okay to disregard my wants and desires. That habit of ignoring myself is the root of why my path became so winding in the first place. However, it’s a significant contributor to my passion for the era of medical paths.

I was always helping others. I loved working with the elderly at my church and caring for my grandparents. Whenever anyone needed a helping hand, I’d be the first to volunteer. Nothing was more significant than witnessing the appreciation in a person’s eyes when a kind word or action reached them in a time of distress. I knew this gift of compassion was my purpose. I knew I needed to be in the medical world.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The thought of starting an after-hours urgent and primary care clinic. Being in the medical field, I understood the need for such a practice and had the experience and desire to make it a reality. So many people I encountered daily didn’t have the means or insurance to seek medical care. I could create a place that was both affordable and accessible for this underserved population. It wouldn’t be easy, but I could work this business and my job until it got going.

I was suddenly filled with a newfound passion. My entire life had led me right here so that I could be there for others in this innovative way. This endeavor would take a lot of re-balancing to make it a reality, but I was determined. I found a mentor who gave me guidance and support. I had a business degree, but this would be a practical exercise, not just the theories and ideas I was used to.

Just as I was getting underway and in the early stages of building my business, my mentor passed away suddenly. This loss threw me. I moved from feeling healthy and motivated into a place of doubt that was difficult to shake. Some of me thought I was attempting something that was too big to do alone. And I thought about giving up.

But then I thought some more and realized that my mentor would never give me that advice. He would tell me that I could do it, that he was giving voice to things I already knew inside. So with that, I brushed aside my feelings of fear, and I moved forward. When I finally opened my doors, he may not have been there in body but in spirit and heart.

From then on, I knew I could handle any obstacle. Some setbacks arose around the opening date, but I pushed through and found the answers. When a new challenge surfaces, like trying to get the word out to new clients or deciding how best to market the services, I don’t hesitate. I keep moving forward, looking for solutions, researching, and seeking guidance. I may not be perfect, and I don’t have all the answers to building a business, but I do know how to persevere through adversity. My life has given me the tools I need to succeed because I know how to change course. I know how to adapt and find new paths when the old ones are worn. I know how to move forward, even when the world is against me.

I like to think about my life’s journey as a work of art. If it were easy to make a beautiful painting, we wouldn’t look in awe and amazement at paintings by great artists. A painting that is easy to create wouldn’t enthrall the viewer. It would look like the doodles someone might sketch as they sat through a tedious chemistry class. But a work of art has a history. Lots of thought and care go into a detailed painting. Sometimes the perspective or color doesn’t work, and the artist has to step back and try again until the figures merge into the perfect scene. That might happen on the first go, but more often than not, it would take hours of diligence and hard work to come up with a finished piece that is the true vision. That’s what our life’s journey is like and why the path we take or the length of time spent journeying is unimportant. The most important thing is what we create in the end and if we create that sense of awe in another person when all is through.

No one says in a eulogy, “I loved that she took such an efficient path in life. What a great person.” But they will say something like, “Her life was hard. I don’t know how she did it, but her strength inspired me.” That’s the difference between purpose and path. The path will be forgotten, but the purpose will live on in the hearts of everyone it touches. We live our purpose when we move through the struggles – no matter what – when the goal seems impossible, and somehow we keep plodding along.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So my best friend comes into town and it’s time to have fun. She’s going to stay a week long and I got it all planned out. Throughout the week we will tour some of the best restaurants in the City because we love trying new food. Then the Spas are next on the list because relaxation and mediation is a must. As far the night life we will go to lounges to enjoy the vibes. We will definitely include activities such as bowling, nature walks, city tours, museums and movies. Lets not forget the Red Carpet events if available. On Sunday is worship time therefore we will be in church.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My support includes my family, friends, colleagues, and my inner self through motivation and determination.

Website: http://www.divinemedhealthcare.com/

Other: https://lift.bio/drjai https://linktr.ee/drjai https://direct.me/drjaijai