Patient Stories

• Worsening neurological symptoms and a stressful week led Kristen to UC Medical Center, where doctors ran extensive testing to determine the cause.
• Once diagnosed, Kristen worked with a collaborative team at UC Health to develop a care plan that combines MS treatment with integrative therapies to support her overall health.
• Today, Kristen continues treatment and the lifestyle practices she built with her care team, managing her MS while continuing to lead her business and daily life.

Facing neurological symptoms or a new MS diagnosis? Connect with the specialists at the Waddell Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and explore personalized care options by calling 513-475-8730.

Kristen’s Journey to a Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

Kristen Bailey is the co-founder and owner of a local restaurant, food truck and catering business, Sweets & Meats BBQ. Long before her official diagnosis, subtle symptoms for five years had been indicating that something was wrong — but as a busy entrepreneur, she kept pushing through.

What started as troubling neurological symptoms quickly escalated during an especially stressful week, landing her in the hospital at UC Medical Center. The experience was overwhelming and scary. “Everything happened so fast,” she recalled. “One day I was managing my business and my life, and the next I was in a hospital bed, trying to understand what was happening.”

Testing confirmed the diagnosis: multiple sclerosis, or MS, a complex neurological disease that affects the central nervous system. In those early days, uncertainty weighed heavily. “You hear the words, and your mind just races,” Kristen said. “What does this mean for my future? For my business?”

But even in the hospital, she felt something steady beneath the fear — a team moving quickly, communicating clearly, listening closely and treating her with compassion.

“They never made me feel like I was just another patient,” she said. “Even at the scariest point, I felt like they had a plan.”

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis — and the Path Forward

Kristen’s care team included neurologists, pharmacists, specialized nurses and integrative health specialists working collaboratively across disciplines. Among them is Dan Chapman, DO, PharmD, a neurologist at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute who specializes in MS, who helped guide her through the early stages of understanding her diagnosis.

“Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers,” Dr. Chapman explained. “That disruption can affect movement, vision, sensation and cognition. The course of MS is highly individualized — no two patients experience it the same way. We have treatments that are very effective at stopping any new damage in the nervous system, just completely arresting that component of the disease. And it stands to reason that the less damage you have to the nervous system, the better. With early diagnosis, evidence-based therapies and comprehensive support, many patients live full, active lives.”

That message mattered to Kristen.

“In the beginning, you think of worst-case scenarios,” she said. “But Dr. Chapman was calm. He was honest. He also made it clear that this was something we would manage — together.”

At an academic health system like UC Health, that team-based approach is intentional. Specialists collaborate, review imaging and lab results collectively and align on treatment strategies grounded in the latest research. Kristen saw that coordination firsthand.

“They talked to each other,” she said. “I didn’t have to connect the dots between doctors. They were already doing that.”

Prioritizing Self-Care with Integrative Health for Multiple Sclerosis

Upon Dr. Chapman’s recommendation, Kristen met with Mladen Golubic, MD, PhD, who is the Medical Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health. She was newly diagnosed with MS. She was running a restaurant and catering business with her partner. Stress was constant. Sleep was poor. Chronic pain added another layer of strain.

“I told her she needed to manage her stress and discussed what we have available. I said, let's see what these other resources are. She was also somebody who wasn't thrilled about taking a bunch of medications, which is very reasonable. And, unfortunately, there are limitations to the medicines that we use to manage symptoms”, Dr. Chapman shared.

“And so, I said, we will have medications for when it's necessary. But let's use these other integrative approaches to manage your symptoms a little bit better. And she's really utilized that.”

Dr. Golubic remembers how overwhelmed she felt. “You can have highly successful people who are capable of doing incredible things,” he said. “But when it comes to prioritizing self-care, that can be the biggest challenge. What usually gets done is what has the highest priority.”

“I was making lists every single day,” Kristen said. “Lists for my business, lists for my family — and I was never on the list.”

At UC Health, integrative medicine is designed to complement — not replace — neurologic care plans. The focus is evidence-based, whole-person treatment: sleep, nutrition, stress management, physical activity and non-pharmacologic therapies that work alongside traditional MS medications.

Kristen decided to start with acupuncture to address her chronic pain. The results were meaningful. Her pain improved. She began sleeping better. And as her physical discomfort eased, her mindset began to shift.

“When you’re in constant pain, it’s hard to think about anything else,” she said. “Once that started to lift, I felt like I could breathe again.”

Rediscovering Joy Through Art and Self-Care

From there, Kristen explored art therapy — a program originally developed for patients with MS and now expanding to other conditions. For her, it became transformative.

“When I’m painting, I’m not thinking about MRIs or symptoms,” she said. “I’m just present.”

Dr. Golubic describes that presence as powerful medicine. “Stress affects sleep. Sleep affects resilience. Chronic illness affects the whole person,” he said. “When patients engage in activities that bring them into the moment — whether that’s yoga, meditation, acupuncture or art — we are activating self-healing capacities that everyone has.”

The key, he emphasizes, is sustainability. “It doesn’t take heroic changes. Five minutes here, five minutes there — but make it non-negotiable. That’s how the process starts.”

For Kristen, the biggest change wasn’t one therapy. It was a shift in priority.

“I finally put myself at the top of the list,” she said.

Confidence in the Care — and the Future

Today, Kristen’s symptoms are stable. She continues disease-modifying therapy under the guidance of Dr. Chapman and maintains the lifestyle practices that support her well-being. She knows MS is unpredictable — but she no longer feels powerless.

“I trust my team completely,” she said. “If something changes tomorrow, I know exactly where I’m going.”

That confidence reflects the strength of an academic health system like UC Health — where research informs care, specialists collaborate seamlessly and patients are treated as individuals with unique lives and goals.

“Everybody is unique,” Dr. Golubic said. “Our job is to listen, to take time and to create a plan that fits that person’s life.”

Kristen’s story is one of resilience — but also of partnership. From the uncertainty of a hospital diagnosis to the empowerment of whole-person care, her journey illustrates what happens when clinical excellence meets compassion.

“I’m proud of how far I’ve come,” she said. “But I’m also just incredibly grateful. They didn’t just treat my MS. They helped me reclaim my life.”

Find Connected Care for MS in Cincinnati, West Chester and Northern Kentucky

At the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, neurologists, integrative health specialists and researchers work together to provide personalized care for people living with MS. From advanced diagnostics and disease-modifying therapies to integrative treatments that support sleep, stress and pain management, our team focuses on helping you live well today while protecting your future health.

Learn more about MS care through the Waddell Center for Multiple Sclerosis or schedule an appointment online with our neurology specialists or by calling 513-475-8730.