Dr. Kelvas earned her medical degree from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. She began residency training in Emergency Medicine at a level 1 trauma center, but switched to Family Medicine with a desire to return to what her father emphasized so intensely, the art and heart of medicine; "[he] taught me that having a relationship with your patient is the most important, that’s what life is about."
She strongly believes that healthcare needs to change to benefit the patient and has traveled, lived, and volunteered medically in over 40 countries, equipping her to offer culturally competent care to all ethnic backgrounds. She has led multiple medical volunteer trips internationally and embarked on the World Race before medical school and works part-time for an anti-sex trafficking agency. She has also participated in additional training in healthcare related to LGBTQI needs and gladly accepts patients from any walk of life. In the future, she wishes to offer counseling and therapy to her patients. In her free time, Dr. Kelvas practices yoga, mindfulness meditation, and travels. She owns a medical writing company and is currently writing a book on PTSD in healthcare providers.
She strongly believes that healthcare needs to change to benefit the patient and has traveled, lived, and volunteered medically in over 40 countries, equipping her to offer culturally competent care to all ethnic backgrounds. She has led multiple medical volunteer trips internationally and embarked on the World Race before medical school and works part-time for an anti-sex trafficking agency. She has also participated in additional training in healthcare related to LGBTQI needs and gladly accepts patients from any walk of life. In the future, she wishes to offer counseling and therapy to her patients. In her free time, Dr. Kelvas practices yoga, mindfulness meditation, and travels. She owns a medical writing company and is currently writing a book on PTSD in healthcare providers.
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For all things, these are excellent questions to consider asking. Don’t always rely on your healthcare provider to make all of the decisions for you.
- What are my treatment options?
- Are the tests safe and accurate?
- How long will treatment take?
- What are the risks and benefits of the treatment?
- What are side effects of the treatment?
- How do I know if the medications are working?
- What steps do I need to take to eventually discontinue these medications?
- How serious is my illness or condition, and how will it affect the rest of my work and home life?
- What caused the illness?
- What other diseases could be causing my symptoms?
- What are my long and short term prognosis?
- What would happen if I didn’t recieve treatment?
- What if I delayed treatment?
- How much will this cost?
- Are there alternatives to this treatment, medication, or procedure?
Never be ashamed to take notes, or say you don’t understand. The key to recovering is fully understanding your disease process. Before patients leave my exam room, I make them repeat back to me, in their own words, what I just explained.
You ask just as many questions when buying a house, or paying someone to do your taxes, so ask away!
Danielle Kelvas, MD
