Guy Shelley

When Guy Shelley’s employer, the Transportation Security Administration, encouraged employees to attend a health fair, he decided to check it out. What started out as a quick work break became something much more important.

A Carolinas HealthCare System HEALTHWORKS representative asked Guy if he had a primary care physician. “I did not have one, but I knew it was about time to get one,” he said. Although he was in good health and only came down with a cold once in a while, he had been experiencing a lot of stress as a supervisor. He knew something had to change and seeing a healthcare provider was a start. HEALTHWORKS team member Kyla Creel immediately connected him with Amanda Pennington, MD, at Shiland Family Medicine.

During Guy’s physical, Dr. Pennington noticed he had an arrhythmia, which is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow or with an irregular rhythm. He was immediately referred to cardiologist Nathaniel Edwards, MD, with Carolinas HealthCare System’s Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute.

Guy says the visit to the cardiologist was extremely helpful. In addition to decreasing his stress levels at work, he is now on medication to manage his heart condition and has since learned that he has a family history of heart disease. Guy is walking more and playing more golf. “I’m looking forward to when it is warm enough to walk the golf course,” he said.

Attending his employer’s health fair, and taking advantage of the quick and convenient access to a primary care physician referral and appointment scheduling, gave Guy important insight into his health.