The dream begins

So Kelly began as a nurse tech in the ICU program at ETMC (now UT Health East Texas). It was rewarding work. “Those were the most complicated patients, and I learned so much about how all the body’s systems work together.”

But Kelly soon had a bigger dream. “I wanted to work as a flight nurse on a helicopter.” So he got his nursing degree and worked in the trauma ICU to prepare himself for the field.

Moving into flight medicine

A trauma surgeon noticed Kelly’s ability to provide excellent medical care, to minister to his patients and to maintain calm under pressure. The surgeon recommended Kelly for the flight team at ETMC. Kelly loved the challenge and was quickly promoted as the air medical safety officer.

As Kelly’s family grew over the next few years, he realized that the demands of being a flight nurse weren’t aligned with needs of his wife and children. So he got his bachelor’s degree and then went to nurse practitioner school.

Advancing to become a nurse practitioner

When he graduated, he returned to hospital service as an ICU nurse practitioner and eventually found his way home to Lindale, where practiced in ETMC’s family and pediatrics clinic for several years.

Taking on a leadership role

Then another opportunity presented itself. ETMC needed an administrator to run the entire regional helicopter program. So Kelly answered the call. Over the next several years, he modernized ETMC’s flight program and improved its efficiency and scope.

Carroll Rogé served as vice president of marketing for ETMC and worked closely with Kelly. “He’s my hero. I’ve never met a more kind or more intelligent and thoughtful man. Kelly is someone I would trust with my life. And I guess I do. He’s now the medical provider for me and my family.”

And that takes us to Kelly’s current position: “I found myself missing what initially attracted me to the medical field – the ability to deliver hands-on medical care to patients.”

Returning to direct patient care

So Kelly accepted the offer to return to Lindale, practicing with Dr. Anthony Davis at the local Tyler Internal Medicine Associates clinic, where he’s been for the past few years.

“I love my patients and I really try to uphold my responsibility to serve as God’s agent in delivering great care. I listen. I keep learning. I do everything I can to put the pieces together to get a total picture of my patients’ health needs. And I do try to minister to their spirit and let them know that I sincerely care about them, both medically and holistically.”

New dreams continue

Kelly’s latest dream involves spreading the good news about infusion therapy. He’s able to provide this valuable service in the same building that houses his medical practice. There’s also a medical spa in the clinic, which provides a perfect tie-in to his work with IV therapy.

“I am passionate about these therapies. They work. I see it daily, and I want people to know they’re available. It’s incredibly rewarding to bring immediate to people who are hurting, to help my patients take their health to new levels they never thought possible.”

To schedule a no-obligation consultation with Kelly, please click the link below.