By Dr. K. Nicole Mims, board-certified sleep physician
Hi, I'm Dr. K. Nicole Mims, a neurologist and sleep medicine physician. I'm excited to share that I've opened my own clinic, Luminary Sleep & Wellness Clinic. This first post is about who I am, why I made the leap, and what I want sleep care to look like for you.
If you'd rather watch than read, here's the short video version:
What Luminary focuses on
Luminary focuses on insomnia and sleeplessness. I have a special interest in women, especially women moving through perimenopause and menopause, when sleep so often changes. That focus isn't exclusive, though. I'm happy to see men who struggle with insomnia too. My goal is simple: I want everyone to sleep better and feel more comfortable going to bed at night.
My training
My path started close to home. I graduated from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. Then I went very far north to Richmond, Virginia, where it snowed over a foot three times my first year there, to do my neurology residency at Virginia Commonwealth University. After that I came back south a little, to Duke University, for my fellowship in sleep medicine and epilepsy.
13 years inside a big health system
After training, I joined a large corporate health care system and spent the next 13 years there. Those years gave me a lot of experience. I sharpened my skills and cared for a lot of patients.
But I also saw the limits of big systems up close:
Scheduling is rigid.
Patients can't get in to see their doctor as often as they need to.
Testing and diagnostic steps move slowly.
The longer I worked there, the more frustrated I became, because I could see how those limits affected the people I was trying to help.
Why I finally made the leap
I had a lot of encouragement along the way, including from my mahjong community. (Yes, I'm a big mahjong player!) Their support helped me find the courage and confidence to build my own clinic.
So I took my established practice and moved it into a clinic of my own. On September 18, 2026, Luminary Sleep & Wellness Clinic officially became its own business, and this is what we're doing now.
Why I don't take insurance
I want to be clear about this: I'm not trying to be an exclusive concierge practice. I don't take insurance because insurance is one of the biggest reasons health systems are so limited. Referrals, prior authorizations and denials all get between patients and their care. I wasn't happy practicing that way, and one of my goals with Luminary is to step outside of it.
Working this way lets me:
See patients more often
Spend more time with each person
Take a more in-depth history and really listen
Tailor treatment to each person and their needs
Prices you can see up front
I also publish my prices, so you know what a visit costs before you book and can decide whether it's right for you. I'm very pro patient choice, and transparent pricing is one way to put that choice back in your hands.
How Luminary works
Luminary is telehealth-first. You can meet with me from home, without a waiting room or a long drive. I'm licensed in North Carolina and Alabama, so I can see patients in both states.
Let's get you sleeping better
If you, a friend or a family member are struggling to sleep, I'd love to help. You can learn more and book at luminarysleep.com. I'm so excited about this new chapter, and I'm glad you're here for it.
This post is for general education and isn't medical advice. Talk with your own doctor about your sleep.