Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ann M. Hester, M.D.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ann M. , appreciate you joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
I’ll never forget the day. Several decades ago, while a 3rd-year medical student, I had a middle-aged patient who made an appointment at the clinic due to drainage from her outer left breast. Not only did she have thick green drainage, obviously due to infection, but there was also a golf-ball-size lump underneath the drainage. While I was close to two years away from receiving my M.D. degree, it was as clear as day; she had a huge breast cancer and would surely die from her disease. I remember thinking that if she had only come in sooner, she would have had a fair chance of survival, at least for a few years. By the time she did seek medical attention, it was too late.
I started writing my first patient empowerment book that year whenever I had any spare time (which was rare in the throws of medical school). Yet, I couldn’t wait. People were suffering and dying needlessly all around. Each person I could reach was one potential life saved.
Over thirty years later, I am still empowered through writing, courses, and speaking.
Ann M. , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
As a board-certified internal medicine physician with nearly 30 years of direct patient care experience, my journey in healthcare has been both fulfilling and dynamic. I transitioned into an administrative role a few years ago, but my passion for health and wellness remains as vibrant as ever. Early in my career, while still a third-year medical student in the early 1990s, I started writing my first health empowerment book and have continued writing ever since. My latest book, Patient Empowerment 101: More than a book, it’s an adventure!, draws from my deep commitment to patient advocacy.
After writing Patient Empowerment 101, I decided to elevate health and wellness empowerment further by creating PatientWorld.net, an online portal offering on-demand health and wellness courses taught by various physicians and experts in the field. Additionally, I am a syndicated columnist and podcast host.
Most recently, I launched a global initiative to empower women and bridge the gender health gap, which costs women an estimated 75 million years of life annually due to poor health and early death—a striking disparity reported by the World Economic Forum and the McKinsey Health Institute in 2024. My World of Women Wellness Warriors initiative features group health coaching, a Facebook group, and an online course tailored for women. However, my health coaching extends to everyone. I am dedicated to helping both men and women understand the simple, fundamental steps they can take, which have been scientifically proven to help prevent, treat, and reverse many common diseases, from arthritis to some forms of cancer.
This fall, I am excited to introduce the PTR Reset on-demand course, which is available to everyone. My PTR Reset (trademark pending) program is the foundation of this transformative change. I also host regular online free summits to empower people.
My unwavering passion for empowering people to live more vibrant, healthier, and often longer lives manifests in my diverse offerings. I am also an international speaker, featured on CNN and in major publications such as TIME and Newsweek.
Through my business, Inspire Health, LLC, I conduct online workshops for churches, businesses, and organizations. These workshops empower their members to expedite medical diagnoses, enhance the safety of healthcare encounters, and save money on medical bills. One key aspect of these workshops is teaching individuals how to optimize communication with physicians, reducing the need for unnecessary tests and procedures.
My lifelong dedication to health and wellness has driven me to innovate and expand my reach in empowering others. From my early days as a medical student writing my first health empowerment book to launching global initiatives like the World of Women Wellness Warriors, my mission has always been to help people live healthier, more vibrant lives. Through PatientWorld.net, my PTR Reset program, and the diverse offerings of Inspire Health, LLC, I provide tools and knowledge to prevent, treat, and reverse common diseases. My work as an author, columnist, podcast host, and international speaker further amplifies my commitment to making a meaningful impact on health and wellness worldwide.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
It has been a long, hard lesson to learn that what I know beyond a shadow of a doubt can help people live healthier, more vibrant lives often does not translate to their willingness to listen, learn, and invest in themselves. Many people don’t prioritize their health until it’s compromised. The best time to focus on health is while you’re still healthy and on level ground, not when you’re ill and facing an uphill battle. Over the decades, I have invested significant money into public health and wellness projects, mistakenly believing that everyone would want to learn how to improve their health and prevent potentially catastrophic diseases. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case. Far more people would rather spend several hours searching for the perfect pair of $250 shoes than spend one hour and $100 learning how to transform their health trajectory. I’ve had to develop patience and resilience. Those of us committed to public health and wellness cannot afford to give up. If we do, where will we end up as a nation and a world? I have therefore dubbed myself the Physician on a Mission to Help You Thrive, Not Strive to Survive. Giving up on people is not an option.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Many people turn to gurus for advice, and while many offer valuable insights, my favorite resource is the Bible. It helps me stay strong when I feel like giving up and teaches me how to treat others and focus on their needs. The Bible provides profound wisdom that guides my daily life. By prioritizing the needs of others, I find myself even more motivated to persevere when things don’t go as planned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.patientworld.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusywomanhealthcoach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/patientworld
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patientempowerment101
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PatientWorld
- Other: https://healthandwellnessreset.thinkific.com/collections
https://inspirehealth.info
