.svg)
By
At Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, the life of student athlete Brogan Kelly, a dedicated junior who excels in football and wrestling, was safeguarded by AdventHealth's innovative health screening initiatives.
Their program, which offers free electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings, identified a life-threatening heart condition in Brogan, known as Anomalous Right Coronary Artery (ARCA), highlighting the critical role of early detection in preventing potential fatalities among young athletes.
Brogan’s journey began unsuspectingly, as he participated in the 2023 screening along with 1,500 other students from Volusia and Flagler counties.
The program, a partnership between AdventHealth and local school districts, aims to keep student athletes at peak performance.
However, shortly after his ECG screening, an unexpected call revealed Brogan's serious condition. Barbara Kelly, Brogan's mother, stated:
"The surgeon told us that Brogan had what’s called ARCA, which stands for Anomalous Right Coronary Artery. The surgeon told us he needed to operate on Brogan’s heart to prevent sudden death because ARCA could be fatal."
Reflecting on the program's impact, Erik Nason, AdventHealth’s manager of sports medicine for Volusia and Flagler counties, emphasized the importance of these screenings.
"If Brogan didn’t get testing and get screened, we don’t know what could have happened."
AdventHealth has expanded its screenings over the years to include not just athletes but also band members and Jr. ROTC members. These screenings are critical, as they go beyond the state and county requirements by incorporating ECGs, which can detect abnormalities like the one that affected Brogan.
AdventHealth’s commitment extends through its partnership with the nonprofit Who We Play For, enhancing the reach and effectiveness of the screenings.
Three years ago, Julia Bosset experienced cardiac arrest during a basketball tryout at Seabreeze High School. At that time, ECGs were not included in the free screenings. Despite having a preexisting condition, Julia underwent surgery and has since made a full recovery.
Jeff Bosset, Julia's father, of Who We Play For shared his personal connection to the program:
"We want to promote cardiac health, prevention, and care."
This concerted effort underscores a community-wide dedication to not just treating, but preemptively addressing health issues that can derail young lives.
Brogan Kelly's case is a testament to the life-saving potential of these health screenings. As he prepares to return to the sports he loves, his story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of comprehensive health checks in safeguarding the futures of young athletes.
