Mwatabu Terrell

When my father developed a fistula, an abnormal connection between the bladder and rectum, after radiation treatment for prostate cancer, our family suddenly needed a surgeon with very specific experience. I called a medical school friend who is a urologist, and with his help we found the specialist my father needed. I was grateful to have someone to call. I kept thinking about the families who face the same situation with no one to call and no idea where to start. During 14 years in emergency medicine, I saw every kind of illness and injury, often on the worst day of someone's life. I also saw how often patients left with important questions unanswered. They were trying to understand a diagnosis, connect information from different doctors, or make a major decision without a clear explanation of their choices. Most doctors are dedicated people working under real limits: short visits, insurance rules, and heavy patient loads. They rarely have an hour to sit down with a family and walk through every concern. For more than 20 years, friends and family have called me when a diagnosis did not make sense or a decision felt too big to make alone. Those conversations, my father's experience, and my years in the ER led me to found HealthStrategix. I want every family to have what mine had: a physician in their corner with the time and medical insight their situation deserves. My goal is for you to understand your care, know what to ask, and feel prepared to take part in decisions that affect your life.

- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: BS in Biology, 1990-1994 - Vanderbilt University School of Medicine: Doctor of Medicine (MD), 1994-1998 - Indiana University School of Medicine: Emergency Medicine Residency, Methodist Hospital and Wishard Memorial Hospital, Indianapolis, 1998-2001

- Emergency medicine (ER, ED), acute care, critical care, trauma, resuscitation, adult, pediatric, and geriatric emergencies - Complex care: multisystem illness, multiple chronic conditions, comorbidities, multidisciplinary care, conflicting specialist opinions - Settings: Level I trauma center, academic and community ER, ICU, observation, hospitalists, interfacility transfer, flight physician, Life Line, helicopter and ground critical care transport - Diagnostics: differential diagnosis, diagnostic uncertainty, delayed diagnosis, EKG/ECG, troponin, D-dimer, CBC, metabolic panel, electrolytes, kidney function, CRP, ESR, ABG, CSF, toxicology, X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound and radiology reports - Cardiac: chest pain, heart attack (MI, STEMI), cardiac arrest, ACLS, atrial fibrillation (AFib), arrhythmias, heart failure (CHF), cardiogenic shock, hypertensive emergency, aortic dissection, pericarditis, syncope, pacemaker and defibrillator problems - Vascular: DVT, pulmonary embolism (PE), blood thinners, anticoagulant bleeding - Neurological: stroke (CVA), TIA, tPA, brain bleed, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, seizures, altered mental status, cognitive changes, delirium, vertigo - Infection: sepsis, septic shock, bacterial and viral meningitis, encephalitis, necrotizing fasciitis, cellulitis, abscess, UTI, kidney infection, endocarditis, neutropenic fever - Autoimmune: HLA-B27, spondyloarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, cardiac effects of autoimmune disease - Respiratory: shortness of breath, asthma, COPD, pneumonia, respiratory failure, pneumothorax, BiPAP, ventilator, intubation, airway management - GI: abdominal pain, appendicitis, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, GI bleed, diverticulitis, cirrhosis - Kidney and endocrine: acute kidney injury, kidney stones, dialysis complications, diabetes, DKA, hypoglycemia, electrolyte abnormalities, dehydration - Urology: urinary retention, bladder-rectal fistula (rectovesical), rectourethral fistula, testicular torsion - Cancer: prostate cancer, bladder cancer, radiation complications, chemotherapy complications, oncologic emergencies - OB/GYN: ectopic pregnancy, bleeding in pregnancy, miscarriage, preeclampsia - Trauma and ortho: falls, hip fracture, fractures, dislocations, internal bleeding, burns, spine injury, postoperative complications, surgical recovery - Toxicology: overdose, poisoning, opioids, alcohol withdrawal, anaphylaxis, carbon monoxide - Medications: side effects, drug interactions, polypharmacy, medication reconciliation - Pediatrics: fever in children, croup, bronchiolitis, febrile seizures - Behavioral health: psychiatric crisis, substance use - Procedures: central line, arterial line, lumbar puncture (spinal tap), chest tube, thoracentesis, paracentesis, cardioversion, sedation, fracture reduction, laceration repair - Disposition: admit vs discharge, observation vs inpatient, ICU vs floor, transfer, discharge planning, readmission - Serious illness: goals of care, code status, DNR, advance directives, palliative care, informed consent, prognosis - Advocacy: physician patient advocate, MD advocate, retired ER doctor, long-distance caregivers, out-of-state family, second opinion preparation, finding the right specialist, rare complications, medical record review

• I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
• I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
• I am insured
• My geographical area of practice is in-person in Fort Mill, SC, serving the greater Charlotte area, with virtual advocacy available nationwide.