Nia Mitchell, MD, joined the division almost a year ago as a researcher and as a clinician. To get to know her a bit better, we asked her the following questions:
Where do you work?
I work at three different places at Duke:
- The North Carolina Mutual Building, which is where my office is and the home base for my research.
- Duke Outpatient Clinic, supervising Internal Medicine residents and helping out in the Lifestyle Medicine Clinic.
- The Duke Diet and Fitness Center, seeing patients in a multidisciplinary weight management facility.
What are your titles?
Assistant Professor of General Internal Medicine and Director of Research Obesity Programs for the Center for Community and Population Health Improvement
What brought you to Duke?
Opportunities to expand my research
What are your interests in the field?
Weight loss interventions for underserved populations
How did you get in to this specific field?
I had a great primary care summer experience as a medical student at Washington University in St. Louis. I worked with an amazing internist who was an inspiration. During that summer, I noticed that many of the patients' medical problems were either caused or exacerbated by excess weight, so that made me want to help with obesity. Additionally, as an African American female, I am familiar with struggles with weight in myself, my family, and my community. After college and during residency, I was joined commercial weight loss programs to help me control my weight, I rarely saw other identifiable ethnic minorities in these programs. My weight loss efforts were successful, but I was able to afford programs that are beyond the reach of many of the patients I treat in clinic that serves a large proportion of people who are either on Medicaid or uninsured. I knew I had to do something that could help my patients manage their weight.
Can you tell us more about your research?
I am planning to start several studies of the Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) program, a national, nonprofit weight loss program that costs $92 per year. One study will recruit obese, older African American women who have decreased physical function. I would like to see if women who participate in TOPS lose weight and improve their physical function. Another study will look at the program in patients at the Duke Outpatient Clinic.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
I run, bike, and hike and have season tickets to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC). I’m also starting to develop a taste for jazz music.
Any trips you've taken recently that you would like to share?
I am enjoying being a tourist in my new state. I went to Asheville, NC for New Year’s Eve. While I was there, I visited the NC Arboretum for the Winter Lights Display and the Biltmore Estate for the Candlelight Tour. I'm looking forward to heading to the beach this summer.
Any recent books you've read?
I am currently reading two books. The first is A Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night-Time. I've had the book for several years, but seeing the play at DPAC inspired me to actually start reading it. The second is called Always Hungry? Conquer Cravings, Retrain Your Fat Cells, & Lose Weight Permanently.
Fun fact about yourself
Ironically, I used to work as chemical engineer/process scientist for M&M/Mars Inc. (yes, the candy company!)
What is your favorite food?
I’m originally from New Orleans, so I love southern cuisine, but in limited quantities.
What is your favorite restaurant?
That is a difficult question, because there are so many great ones out there. I will say that the restaurant for which I feel the most nostalgia is The Little Diner in Vail, CO. It serves the best grits I have ever had, and that is saying something since I’m from New Orleans. Every time I visited Vail, I would go there at least twice. It was definitely a treat.