By Meredith Knight
Nobody ever really wants to have surgery—let along multiple surgeries for the same condition. But that’s the scenario James Kelley faced as a teenager. In fact, a genetic condition of the hips not only landed him in a wheelchair for two years but required him to undergo hip-replacement surgery, when he was only 21.
It wasn’t a situation he’d have chosen for himself, but it was the catalyst for a career in medicine that has allowed him to positively impact the lives of thousands of his North Texas neighbors.
A medical career wasn’t an obvious first choice for a boy who pictured himself shredding on guitar in a band, playing pro sports, or enjoying a career in woodworking. (All those woodworking projects were actually good practice for later using his hands to perform surgery .)
“My passion through it all was helping others though and my own health struggles opened the door for a career in medicine,” Dr. Kelley said. “Once in medical school, I was fortunate enough to stumble onto the field of urology, which ended up being a perfect fit for me.” His patients would certainly agree.
For Dr. Kelley, urology provides the ideal blend of a cutting-edge surgical field (There’s that hand dexterity coming into play.) and a relationship-driven specialty that allows him to forge long-term relationships while he treats problems and significantly improves the lives of his patients.
As a general urologist, Dr. Kelley treats a wide range of urology problems across all aspects of the field. “I definitely have a passion for treating both male and female urinary issues, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men and urinary incontinence in women,” he said. “And I’m fortunate to be able to offer some of the most up-to-date technology to care of these problems, including multiple minimally invasive and state-of-the-art treatment options. It’s a great time to be working in this field with new advancements and breakthroughs all the time.”
Some of the treatment options Dr. Kelley offers at Texas Center for Urology are advanced Aquablation for BPH, sacral neuromodulation, and Bulkamid for female incontinence, and so much more. “I encourage patients even if they’re just curious about what options are available that would greatly improve their lives to come by and consult with me,” he said. “We can often find solutions they didn’t even know were possible—solutions that weren’t available until recently.”
Patients praise Dr. Kelley for the amount of time he spends really listening to them then patiently outlining their treatment options. “I never want someone to leave an appointment with me with unanswered questions,” he said. “Every single patient is unique, and their condition, lifestyle, and medical preferences are unique. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter care. I want each patient to understand what I’m recommending and why. And we never move forward, until they feel comfortable with my recommendations.”
Dr. Kelley himself has had the experience of feeling like “just a number” at a medical practice, and he never wants one of his patients to feel that way. “I want to be my patient’s advocate and take the time to guide them toward the best treatment options possible that fit their goals and needs,” he said. “And I want my patients to know they’re in the driver’s seat—always—when it comes to making decisions about their care.”
Meet James Kelley, DO
There’s no doubt that the center of Dr. Kelley’s universe is his wife and three daughters. “My goal every day is to make them proud of me,” he said. “My wife, Rebecca, has been by my side since even before I started medical school. We’ve been blessed to build an amazing life in this incredible community with our three beautiful and sassy little girls.”
The family loves exploring around the DFW area and investigating new local restaurants, outdoor patio spaces, and hanging out at local parks. “Rebecca and I consider ourselves foodies and love trying to find fun, new, date-night dinner spots,” Dr. Kelley said.
When he’s not at work or enjoying family time, Dr. Kelley can be found volunteering with UNT Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine as a urology specialty advisor. He also welcomes undergraduate and medical students to shadow him and get a feel for day-to-day life as a urologist. He and his family and members of Creekwood Church in Mansfield.
“I make it one of my top priorities to treat others the way I’d want my family and I to be treated,” he said. “I want to treat every patient that I meet like they’re a member of my family, and I want my patients to feel like they can rest assured that any time we’re discussing treatment options I’m presenting the options I’d want for my own family and friends.”
If you’re experiencing any problems with your genitourinary system, genital tract, or reproductive system, it’s important for you to be seen by a professional so you can be diagnosed and treated as quickly and as efficiently as possible. At the first sign of any issues with your body, you should give Texas Center for Urology a call.
CONTACT
1759 Broad Park Circle South, Suite 101 Mansfield, Texas 76063
(817) 871-9069 | TexasCenterforUrology.com
At Texas Center for Urology, Dr. James Kelley Treats and Manages a Wide Variety of Urologic Issues Including:
- Male and Female Bladder Complaints
- Kidney Stones
- Urologic Cancers
- Hormone Deficiencies
- Vasectomy
- Men’s Health
- Urinary Incontinence
- Prostate Problems
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Urinary Tract Infections
Did You Know?
An article in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association put forth the idea that riding a rollercoaster can help “coax out” a kidney stone. After taking 20 rides on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney World in Orlando, Florida with a “3D-printed, transparent kidney” containing a synthetic stone, researchers concluded that taking a ride at the back of the coaster resulted in a passed stone 64% of the time while riding at the front helped pass the stone 17% of the time.
