Parkland employee encourages annual exams after unexpected diagnoses
Men’s Health Month highlights importance of preventive screenings
Men often chalk up fatigue, weight changes and other health concerns to simply getting older. But for Milad Houshidari, RN, Internal Audit Manager at Parkland Health, a routine checkup revealed something more serious. This Men’s Health Month, he hopes his story encourages others to listen to their bodies and seek preventive care sooner.
At 44, Houshidari takes pride in leading an active lifestyle. One of his biggest passions is pickleball, a fast-paced, low-impact game that combines aerobic exercise with quick movements, balance and coordination.
Minor aches and pains from physical activity are expected, but Houshidari became concerned about the intense pain in his legs that he began experiencing with any kind of exercise. He knew he needed to seek help.
It was during his annual physical in 2024 when Houshidari was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and chronic exertional compartment syndrome.
“I had symptoms before which were kind of unexplainable, but I thought I was just getting older and my body was changing. I didn’t think there was something else going on,” he said. “If I didn’t go get my annual checkup done, I never would’ve figured it out.”
According to the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, men are less likely than women to seek medical care, which is why Parkland experts are encouraging more men to get regularly screened.
A recent survey by the Cleveland Clinic found that only 3 out of 5 men get their annual physical. Additionally, the survey found that upwards of 40% of men only go to the doctor when they think they have a serious medical condition.
Scheduling a routine wellness visit can help identify chronic conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, thyroid disorders, diabetes and heart disease.
Parkland experts note that a regular visit to a healthcare provider should include risk assessments for future medical problems, cancer screenings, vaccination updates and conversations about healthy lifestyle goals.
Because of that annual screening, Houshidari identified the source of his symptoms and began making meaningful lifestyle changes. He began receiving personalized support through Parkland’s Employee Health Center (EHC), which connected him with a dietitian, chiropractic care, a weight management program and ongoing support.
“The EHC gave me support beyond just medications. They’re way more knowledgeable than a general primary care provider since they deal with a lot of patients going through the same issues,” he said. “They helped create a more realistic long-term plan and guided me with more experience than a general doctor could.”
With ongoing support from the EHC, Houshidari has improved his overall health, lost weight, reduced inflammation and eventually came off several medications.
“It’s night and day, honestly. Before, I’d see those super-healthy people who were fit, happy, grocery baskets full of fruits and vegetables. I thought, ‘That seems like so much work. I don’t think I could ever be that person.’ Now, I’m starting to see that transition for myself,” he said. “I realize this is long-term. This is mostly for my long-term health. I’m 44 now, and I need to take my health more seriously.”
As an internal audit manager, Houshidari now approaches health the same way he approaches his work: with data. It’s why he treats his annual physical like an important data-gathering audit.
“In an audit, we want the most accurate, clean data so we can make the best plan with the best information,” he said. “Your annual physical gives you that: your labs, vitals and physician’s assessment. Not having that data and just saying, ‘I feel okay,’ is like working with dirty data. It’s not accurate, it’s not precise, and you can’t make a good plan with it. The more accurate data you have about your health, the better you can make informed decisions.”
Houshidari is urging men to stop delaying care and make their annual physical a priority. He emphasized that staying on top of your health is the only way to catch issues early before they become serious.
“When you’re younger, you think you’re invincible. But taking care of your health now can make a huge difference later,” he said. “You have nothing to lose going in, and you have so much to gain by knowing what’s going on with your body.”
For more information on services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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