POWERGRAMS

HEALTH AND WELLNESS Special Incentive Nudge from spouse lifesaver for engineer W ON THE COVER: Equipment Operator Cheryl Rutledge Tidwell drives a bulldozer at Gorgas Steam Plant. Photo by Bill Snow PAGE 2 hen his physician retired, Albert Hicks was reluctant to find a new one in time to schedule his annual physical before 2012 ended. Hicks, an engineer in Resource Planning, lives an active lifestyle, exercises regularly and tries to make healthy food choices, so he didn't think missing one routine physical would make much of a difference. However, his wife had other plans. "My wife noticed the mailer that comes to our house," he said. "She told me that she had already had her physical and I needed to get mine so we could take advantage of having one month with no healthcare premiums." In December, Hicks was able to get in to see a doctor recommended by his son. Busy with the bustle of the holiday season, Hicks assumed he would go in for a routine visit and get that checked off his end-of-theyear to-do list. He soon found out that routine visit wasn't going to be so routine after all. "I had started noticing some infrequent chest pains when exercising," Hicks said. "Years ago I had been diagnosed with a heart murmur, so I thought maybe that could be causing some discomfort coupled with the fact that I'm just getting older." When the doctor came in to let Hicks know he had an abnormal EKG and wanted to schedule more tests, Hicks was surprised. "I guess I had just been ignoring the symptoms," he said. "I think my body was trying to tell me something and I just wasn't listening, or perhaps I just didn't want to hear it." Still a bit in denial, Hicks kept trying to postpone the date for future testing. "I wanted to get through the holidays, enjoy some time with family without worrying about this issue. I think at that point I already knew something was wrong." On Jan. 15, Hicks completed additional tests and was told he needed to quickly see a cardiologist. "I knew I couldn't waste any more time, and after one visit with the cardiologist, I found myself undergoing a heart catheterization, arteriogram and transesophageal echocardiogram. When the doctor came in after the catheterization and told me the surgeon would be by to see me in a few Hicks underwent heart surgery minutes, I couldn't after routine physical. believe that this was really happening." Hicks had a leaky bicuspid aortal valve and his heart and aorta were enlarged. He needed to have the valve replaced. Almost two months to the day after his annual physical, Hicks underwent heart surgery. "I am so thankful to work for a company that cares for employees the way this one does," he said. "I am genuinely appreciative for the Wellness Incentive because it was the catalyst that sent me to the doctor and potentially saved my life."   The 2014 Wellness Incentive is underway. The incentive applies to active Alabama Power and SCS-AL employees and spouses. To qualify for no healthcare premiums for one month in 2014, get a routine physical between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2013. For details or to report a completed physical, call 888-588-4976 or visit apcwellness.com. Employees needing help locating a primary care physician may call Alabama Power's EMAC MedLine at 866-992-EMAC. "Don't wait to get your physical, whether you think you've got a problem or not," said Hicks. "I had this heart murmur issue always in the back of my mind. It was a like a dark cloud hanging over me for a long time, and now that cloud is gone. I'm really happy and able to continue with my life." By Theresa Helms

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