What to do in preparation for your first visit

• We can serve you best, if you fill out a Health History form and bring it with you to your appointment: Download/Print Patient Health History Form
  
  
• Find out what to do and what to expect on your first visit to our office
  
  
• Arrange to have all medical documents (operation reports, pathology reports, radiology reports, doctor's notes, etc.) pertaining to your current problem that you have had done outside of UT Southwestern Medical Center faxed to us at (214) 645-2915. Be advised that current privacy laws require your written consent for personal health information to be transmitted. Please make your document requests well in advance to allow adequate time for us to receive and review them before your first visit.
  
  
• Request copies of all medical images (x-rays, CAT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound scans, nuclear medicine scans) pertaining to your current problem and have them with you when you come to your appointment.
  
  
• If you have had biopsies (including fine needle aspiration/FNA) or prior thyroid cancer surgery performed outside of UT Southwestern Medical Center, your tissue specimens must be reviewed by our pathologists at least 5 working days before your visit. To arrange this, have your specimens sent to: Dr. Tunc Gokaslan UT Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Pathology MC 9073, 5323 Harrry Hines Blvd Dallas, TX 75390 . Your contact details and insurance information will need to accompany the specimens. If you have questions regarding the specimen, please call (214) 590-8235
  
  
• Make a list of questions that you wish to ask the doctor. If you do this in advance, you will be less likely to forget something.
  

What to expect on your first visit:

• Your Initial Visit Health History Form will be collected and reviewed.
  
  
• Drs Nwariaku and Holt will then see you.  As this is a university teaching center, resident physicians and medical students may participate in your care.
  
  
• An ultrasound may be performed during your visit.  This is a painless scan that allows examination of deep structures of the neck.
  
  
• At the end of your evaluation, further testing and/or surgery may be recommended.
  You will have the opportunity to ask questions.
  
  
• If surgery is needed, we will schedule a tentative date for you. Depending on your age and general health condition, you may undergo evaluation by anesthesia, cardiology, and/or other specialists prior to your operation. This is to ensure that your care proceeds in the safest possible manner.

An exam of your vocal cords (laryngoscopy) may be performed if you are scheduled to undergo thyroid or parathyroid surgery. Please notify us in advance if you have had prior neck surgery or if you have noted a recent change in your voice.

What to bring with you:

• Your completed forms, medical images, and list of questions (discussed above).
• All contact information for your referring physician(s) and primary care provider.
• List of your current medications (incl. dosage and frequency).
• Your calendar.
• One adult family member.

If you require a medical translator (other than Spanish), please call Debbye Norris, RN (214) 645-2929 well in advance of your appointment to make the appropriate arrangements.