DJ Roy

Back on the Air — and Back to Health: Roy’s Journey

As a radio personality, Roy Brown was used to having a confident voice — but when his health began to spiral, he found himself overwhelmed and uncertain about what was happening to his body. What began as a struggle with high blood pressure slowly evolved into something more serious.

Roy began experiencing irregular heart rhythms — episodes that would come on suddenly and leave just as quickly. Then one night, it all came to a head when he suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke.

Roy’s life changed in an instant. But thanks to the care and coordination of his team at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, he found a path forward — one built on trust, teamwork and a renewed commitment to his health.

A Primary Care Partner Who Listened

Roy’s journey began with Dr. James Uebel, MD, a Primary Care doctor at St. Elizabeth, who became the foundation of his care. From the earliest signs of high blood pressure to the emotional aftermath of his TIA, Dr. Uebel was by Roy’s side.

“We started at the very basics with health and nutrition to try and control my high blood pressure,” says Roy. “Having my Primary Care doctor every step of the way for every new problem that arose was very helpful.”

When Roy began experiencing more frequent and intense heart irregularities, Dr. Uebel brought in Dr. Nathaniel Dittoe, MD, a Cardiologist at the Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Insititute at St. Elizabeth to investigate further.

Specialized Cardiac Care When It Mattered Most

With the expertise of Dr. Dittoe and Dr. Konstantinos Kossidas, MD, a St. Elizabeth Electrophysiologist, Roy underwent a series of heart tests, including an angiogram and other diagnostics to better understand what was happening.

“It was nice because everybody was constantly trying to understand what was wrong, why this was happening and how could we stop it,” recalls Roy.

One night, Roy’s Apple Watch detected atrial fibrillation (AFib), indicating that there were problems with the rate or rhythm or his heartbeat. Though he initially brushed it off, worsening symptoms — including heaviness behind his eye and dizziness — prompted his husband to urge him to go visit the emergency department at St. Elizabeth Healthcare.

At the hospital, Roy’s care team discovered he had experienced a TIA. “I think about that night all the time,” Roy says. “If I didn’t take the steps to go to the hospital, if I just went to bed, what could have happened?”

Roy was hospitalized for four days. “The hospital team was absolutely amazing,” he says. “I had a lot of emotions at that time, and I felt very comforted and cared for. I left the hospital with an amazing plan on how to move forward and to make sure that never happens again.”

His experience highlights the importance of having access to high-quality stroke care, close to home. St. Elizabeth Florence, Ft. Thomas and Edgewood have all been certified as Primary Stroke Centers by the Joint Commision — a recognition that reflects their commitment to rapid diagnosis, advanced treatment and coordinated care for stroke patients.

Recovering with Confidence

After having a TIA, there is a period of time where individuals have a higher risk of experiencing a more serious stroke. Roy began to fear this outcome and turned to Dr. Uebel for support.

“Dr. Uebel was so empathetic to the anxieties that come with dealing with a major health crisis,” says Roy. “My team at St. Elizabeth has helped me every step of the way to alleviate the anxiety and help me cope with what happened.”

In addition to providing emotional support, Roy’s care team took a comprehensive approach to reduce his stroke risk. They helped him manage his blood pressure, regulate his heart rhythm with medication and diagnosed and treated his obstructive sleep apnea – a condition that significantly increases the likelihood of Afib.

Back and Better

Today, Roy is back on the air — and back to feeling like himself. “I’m happier now. I’m better now. And I’m now back on the radio,” he says

Roy’s message to others is clear: “You shouldn’t avoid your problems. Listen to what your body’s trying to tell you and verbalize that to your care team — because they have your best interest in mind.”

At St. Elizabeth, our multidisciplinary teams work hand in hand to ensure you receive the best care possible. To get in touch with a Primary Care provider, visit our website or learn more about our expert level Heart & Vascular care.