Your Guide to Annual Wellness Exams and Screenings

‍Prioritize Your Health with Proactive, Personalized Care at Kelly Collaborative Medicine

Taking charge of your health means more than just addressing issues as they arise; it involves proactive steps to maintain wellness and prevent potential problems. At Kelly Collaborative Medicine in Silver Spring, MD, we emphasize the importance of annual wellness exams and routine screenings as foundational elements of comprehensive healthcare.

What Is an Annual Wellness Exam?

An annual wellness exam is a preventive health visit focused on maintaining your well-being and identifying potential health concerns before they become serious. Unlike visits prompted by illness, this exam is about long-term health maintenance, risk reduction, and proactive care.

At Kelly Collaborative Medicine, your annual wellness visit is personalized based on your age, gender, lifestyle, medical history, and specific risk factors. It may include:

• A review of your medical and family history
• Measurement of vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, and weight
• A physical exam to assess overall health
• Laboratory tests (such as blood sugar and cholesterol levels)
• A discussion about mental health, including anxiety, depression, and stress
• Immunization updates (e.g., flu shot, Tdap, shingles, pneumonia, COVID-19)
• Lifestyle counselling on diet, exercise, tobacco, alcohol, or sleep habits
• A review of your medications and supplements
• Setting or reviewing a personalized wellness plan

This exam is not just about numbers on a chart; it's about building a relationship with your physician and forming a roadmap to stay healthy, active, and independent.

Kelly Collaborative Medicine prioritizes patient comfort and clarity, ensuring that you feel heard, understood, and supported. For many patients, especially those who may have skipped care due to cost, fear, or access barriers, this visit is a meaningful opportunity to get back on track.

Why Annual Screenings Matter

Even if you feel perfectly healthy, annual health screenings are essential for early detection and prevention. Many chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol are called “silent killers” for a reason: they often don’t show symptoms until significant damage has already occurred.

By identifying health issues before they cause problems, screenings allow for early intervention, which can lead to more effective, less invasive, and often less costly treatments.

Examples of age and risk-appropriate screenings include:

• Blood pressure monitoring
• Cholesterol testing
• Blood glucose/A1c testing for diabetes screening
• Pap smears and HPV testing
• Mammograms
• Colorectal cancer screening
• Bone density scans
• Prostate cancer screening
• STI screenings
• Depression and anxiety screenings

Kelly Collaborative Medicine customizes these recommendations during your annual visit to match your needs, taking into account your medical history, genetics, lifestyle, and current symptoms. For example, someone with a strong family history of colon cancer may start screenings earlier, while a patient with well-managed diabetes may need more frequent blood sugar monitoring.

Preventive care isn’t optional; it’s foundational. It saves lives, reduces healthcare costs over time, and empowers individuals to live longer, healthier, and more vibrant lives.

Preventive Care: A Year-Round Investment in Your Health

Health is not a one-time event; it’s a journey. For patients living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, routine monitoring is essential to prevent complications and optimize quality of life.

But preventive care isn’t just about managing existing conditions. It’s also about building a foundation for long-term health through:

• Lifestyle counselling (diet, exercise, stress reduction)
• Medication management
• Behavioral health support
• Routine bloodwork and diagnostics
• Specialist referrals when needed

Dr. Kathryn Kelly and the team at Kelly Collaborative Medicine work closely with each patient to develop a personalized wellness plan, making prevention a powerful part of your care, especially for those in underserved communities who may have experienced gaps in care.

What to Expect During Your Visit to Kelly Collaborative Medicine?

When you schedule your annual wellness exam at Kelly Collaborative Medicine, you can expect a warm, respectful, and patient-centered experience. Our practice is designed to make every patient feel heard, valued, and supported.

During your appointment, we:

• Take the time to listen to your health concerns and goals
• Explain lab results and screening needs in clear, everyday language
• Encourage you to ask questions and engage in your care plan
• Create a strategy to manage existing conditions and prevent future problems

We believe that access to high-quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Dr. Kelly is especially committed to reaching vulnerable and marginalized populations, offering compassionate, equitable care for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.

Your Health Partner: Kelly Collaborative Medicine

Founded by Dr. Kathryn Kelly, a Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician practicing in the Washington, D.C. area since 2013, Kelly Collaborative Medicine is grounded in the belief that healthcare should be comprehensive, compassionate, and community-focused.

Dr. Kelly holds degrees in Biology and Anthropology from Howard University and earned her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine training at Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center, where she also served as Chief Medical Resident.

Through Kelly Collaborative Medicine, Dr. Kelly continues her mission to:

• Deliver high-quality primary care
• Empower patients through education
• Promote health equity and wellness access
• Build long-term relationships rooted in trust and respect

Whether you’re managing a chronic condition or simply staying ahead of your health, Dr. Kelly and her team are here to guide you every step of the way.

Take Control of Your Health Today

There’s no better time than now to take charge of your well-being. Annual wellness exams are a cornerstone of preventive care and a powerful tool for living a healthier, more vibrant life.

Kelly Collaborative Medicine

• Phone: +1 301-298-1040 
• Online: Book an appointment

Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals is here to support you every step of the way.