Dr. David Shannon Howell, MD

STUDENT PILOT PARENTS BEWARE!!!!! We are trying to get an AME for our student pilot (age 16). We were advised to see this practice for a consultation before the exam so the doctor could talk us through any difficulty with our son's ADHD diagnosis in regards to the potential impact on the exam. We were told over the phone that the exam would be $275 and the consultation would be $300. When we arrived, we were told that we actually had to sign a contract for a non-refundable ($1000) deposit. Having no experience here, and feeling like I had no choice because of the ADHD diagnosis, I signed the paper and paid $1000 plus the $275 exam fee. Two business days later, I got an email that stated, "The cost for our case review and submission will start at $4000." START at $4000? This was never described to me when I signed the $1000 "deposit." Naturally, I called to complain and figure out what was going on. Kayla, the office manager, told me that it was probably going to be more than $4000. In… fact, in a response to an email I sent to formally complain to the practice, her response was, "...this process typically involves a series of consultations with our office, multiple appointments, and potentially external evaluations that can easily exceed $10,000. TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS for an aviation medical exam so my 16 year old who has wanted to be a pilot since he was a toddler can learn to fly. STUDENT PILOT PARENTS: BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was scammed out of $1000 (actually $1275 since my son was deferred and not able to get the exam).

Would respectfully give less than 0 stars if I could. He is extremely unprofessional and does NOT care well for patients. He speaks over you, dismisses of previous diagnoses from prior care team because “he knows what he’s doing”. He is rude, dismissive, and arrogant. Worst of all, he left me at risk of infection fully know what he was doing and when asked repeatedly for help I was again ignored and denied. I will never go back to Piedmont-Henry Hospital unless I ABSOLUTELY NEED TO and I ESPECIALLY do not EVER want to be treated by this extremely unprofessional man who looks down on his patients.