Dr. Ohlms is perhaps best known for popularizing the medical concept that alco holism is a primary disease. Dr. Ohlms appeared in his first educational video The Disease Concept of Alcoholism in 1981. He is featured in more than thirty video programs, and has received International Telly Awards for Alcohol Abuse: Signs & Symptoms and Meth Effect.

The St. Louis physician's videos are seen every day by thousands of patients in substance abuse treatment programs in this country and abroad. His straight- forward, non-technical style has made his presentations a central part of alcohol and drug training programs for business, industry and schools. He has consulted with Fortune 500 Companies across the nation.

Dr. Ohlms is a graduate of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed his training at the Missouri Institute of Psychiatry in St. Louis. He is on staff at Deaconess Hospital, St. Mary's Health Center, St. Louis, Missouri and St. Joseph's Health Center, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center and DePaul Hospital of St. Louis. He has also served as chairman of the Missouri Mental Health Commission.

In addition, Dr. Ohlms is president of Mid-County Physicians, a medical group which specializes in addiction treatment and is the founder of the Ohlms Institute, a consulting and training firm in St. Louis. Dr. Ohlms is the current Medical Director for CenterPointe Hospital CD Program in St. Charles County, Missouri.