An annual physical helps Little Rock patients catch health concerns early, track key health markers, and build a lasting relationship with a trusted primary care provider.
An annual physical, sometimes called a wellness exam or yearly checkup, is a routine visit focused on your overall health rather than a specific complaint. Instead of treating an illness, your primary care provider reviews how you are doing, screens for common conditions, and updates your plan for the year ahead. It is the cornerstone of preventive care, and for most healthy adults, once a year is the right rhythm.
Most wellness exams follow a predictable flow, though your provider tailors it to your age, history, and risk factors. A typical wellness exam includes:
1. Vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breathing rate.
2. Height, weight, and body mass index, which help track trends over time.
3. A review of your health history and medications, plus any updates since your last visit.
4. A hands-on physical exam of your heart, lungs, abdomen, skin, and more.
5. Lab work when appropriate, such as cholesterol, blood sugar, or other screenings.
6. A conversation about lifestyle, including diet, exercise, sleep, stress, alcohol, and tobacco.
7. Vaccinations and recommended screenings based on your age and history.
The visit is also your opening to raise anything on your mind, from a nagging symptom to a question about mental health. Nothing is too small to mention.
The real value of the yearly checkup is early detection. Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes often develop silently, with no symptoms until they have done damage. A yearly checkup catches these trends while they are still easy to address. In Arkansas, where rates of heart disease and diabetes run high, that early warning is especially worthwhile.
Preventive care also saves money and stress over time. Screening tests and vaccines head off problems that are far costlier and harder to treat later. Just as important, the yearly visit builds a baseline. When your provider knows your normal, they can spot what is not normal much faster in the future. That continuity is the quiet engine of good primary care.
A little preparation makes your wellness exam far more useful. Bring a current list of your medications and supplements, including doses. Jot down any symptoms, questions, or changes you have noticed, so nothing slips your mind. Know your family health history, since new diagnoses in relatives can change your screening plan. If your provider ordered fasting lab work, follow the instructions about not eating beforehand. Finally, bring your insurance card and be ready to talk openly, because the more your provider knows, the better they can help.
A wellness exam is not a one-way exam. It is a yearly planning session between you and your primary care team. You leave with clear next steps, whether that is a new screening, a small lifestyle goal, or simply reassurance that you are on track. Keeping that appointment every year, even when you feel great, is one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do for your long-term health.
River City Medical Group provides thorough, unhurried annual physicals and preventive care for patients across Little Rock, AR. With on-site labs and imaging, your wellness exam, screenings, and results can come together efficiently, often in fewer trips. Whether you are establishing care or due for your yearly checkup, our team is ready to help you stay well. New patients are always welcome.
Book online or call our Little Rock team at 501-538-6888 to schedule your annual physical.n
Booking with River City Medical Group takes about two minutes. New patients welcome.
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Dr. Mohsin Altaf is the founder of the clinic and an Internal Medicine physician dedicated to providing thoughtful, personalized care to adults throughout Central Arkansas. He believes excellent healthcare begins with trust, open communication, and taking the time to understand each patient’s concerns, goals, and individual circumstances.
The clinic was established to provide accessible, comprehensive primary care in a welcoming and patient-centered environment. Our goal is to build lasting relationships with patients and support their health through every stage of adulthood. We focus on preventive care, early detection, chronic disease management, and personalized treatment plans that reflect each patient’s needs and priorities. By taking the time to listen and explain, the clinic strives to make healthcare more comfortable, understandable, and collaborative.
After graduating from medical school in 2019, Dr. Altaf completed his Internal Medicine residency at Unity Health in Searcy, Arkansas, from 2020 to 2023. He then began practicing as a hospitalist, caring for patients with a wide range of acute and complex medical conditions. This experience has given him a broad perspective on adult healthcare and strengthened his commitment to prevention, early detection, chronic disease management, and long-term wellness.
As the founder of the clinic, Dr. Altaf is committed to creating a practice centered on accessible, compassionate, and high-quality care. He values building lasting relationships with his patients and working alongside them to make informed decisions about their health. His areas of care include preventive visits, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart and lung conditions, obesity and weight management, and other adult medical conditions. Above all, he strives to create a welcoming environment where patients feel heard, respected, and supported as partners in their care.

As a Peer Recovery Support Specialist at River City Recovery, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to patient care. My personal recovery journey since 2018 is the profound foundation of my passion for helping others find hope and healing. This work is truly a calling, and supporting individuals walking a path I know personally is one of the most meaningful aspects of my life. I strive to cultivate a welcoming, judgment-free environment where people feel seen, supported, and safe to be honest about their journey.
I understand that progress is unique, and I meet each person exactly where they are. River City Recovery is distinct due to our strong commitment to harm reduction and compassion. We don’t expect perfection, and we won’t turn anyone away for struggling. Instead, our focus remains firmly on meeting individual needs and guiding them toward meaningful, lasting change.

Dr. Mohammed Sammy Knefati is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, board-eligible in Addiction Medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine, and a founder of River City Medical Group and River City Recovery Clinic.
Dr. Knefati serves as Medical Director of the New Vision Inpatient Detoxification Program in Searcy, Arkansas, and has cared for patients in outpatient addiction treatment since 2022. His clinical experience includes medication-assisted treatment and compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals with substance use disorders. He finds it deeply rewarding to help individuals take back control of their lives and witness their growth throughout recovery.
As an experienced internist, Dr. Knefati also provides comprehensive primary care services for adults. His clinical expertise includes preventive care, management of chronic medical conditions, evaluation of acute illnesses, and care for patients with complex health needs. He believes that excellent medical care begins with listening and strives to develop practical, individualized treatment plans that address each patient as a whole person.
Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Knefati has lived and practiced in Arkansas since beginning his residency training in 2018. He graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis with a degree in Psychology and Religious Studies. He later earned a Master of Science in Anatomical Sciences from Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2014 and received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the same institution in 2018. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Unity Health–White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas, in 2021.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Knefati enjoys traveling, spending time with his wife, two children, and close friends, and cheering on the Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia Eagles.

I am dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. With a nurturing and empathetic approach, I strive to ensure that every patient receives personalized, high-quality care in a supportive environment. My passion for helping others is at the heart of everything I do.