State Representatives for Hollis
BARBOUR ★ KELLY ★ FLANAGAN
Common Sense for NH
Candidate for State Representative, Hillsborough District 35
Meet Jim Kelly
WHO I AM
Dr. James H. Kelly, Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army
I am a Family Medicine physician with 42 years of experience. I trained at the University of Bologna, Italy, and completed my residency at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
Over my career, I have often cared for the marginalized. I’ve treated migrant farm workers and their families traveling with the growing season in Colorado. I have worked for the Indian Health Service with the Sioux Nation in Rosebud and Yankton S.D., and the Navajo Nation in Chinle, AZ., integrating traditional tribal care with western medicine. In New Hampshire, I’ve cared for those in northern Appalachia, where health services for the disadvantaged are limited.
I am currently Medical Director of Integrated Health Alliance (integratedhealthall.com), an organization encompassing primary care, endocrine health, and psychologic support using multiple modalities to ensure total well-being.
I continue to make pro bono house calls for Hollis patients who cannot leave their homes. I also serve as President of Valor 1, ( valor1foundtion.org ), a nonprofit organization which provides financial assistance for medical and psychological care of our first responders and military.
INNOVATOR
Due to my ideas and efforts in the New Hampshire National Guard, victims of military sexual trauma will receive the medical and behavioral health support they need, when they need it. I recently received the Legion of Merit award for these efforts, the narrative of which reads in part: “Colonel Kelly’s most enduring legacy may be his innovative programs dedicated to soldier welfare. He identified a critical unaddressed need,he single-handedly developed a comprehensive joint violence intervention program to assess and support service members with a history of exposure to violence. This pioneering effort included provider training, a service member questionnaire, robust education, and on-site critical services for [behavioral health] warm handoff, creating a new standard of care.” We are the only state in the union which has this program. This process is currently under review by the Army and National Guard Bureau for integration nationally.
MILITARY SERVICE
At age 58, I joined the New Hampshire National Guard as a physician. I deployed to the Middle East three times, and helped achieve a 97% casualty survival rate in Afghanistan. I earned to the rank of Colonel, served as Joint Surgeon, and just recently retired. Part of my military service is described above. As Joint Surgeon, part of my responsibilities included coordinating care and readiness with the Department of Health and Human Services and the New Hampshire National Guard. This was demonstrated during Covid where safety of both service members and civilians was paramount. Among other awards, I received the Legion of Merit, and 2 Army Commendations, one with Combat device.
WHY I AM RUNNING
Many of us have felt voiceless in Concord and Washington. I will strive to change that. We have many innovative and experienced individuals in Hollis, who may not have the wherewithal to be deeply politically involved, but they possess knowledge and expertise in their field. I will seek them out, listen to their ideas, and provide a platform to present those ideas in Concord.
We all know that our health care “system” is broken. Yet few have the experience like mine to make needed changes. I have decades in primary care, working under various “systems” with knowledge of the good and bad aspects of each system. Mental health access is a fundamental part of comprehensive medical care, yet it is addressed as a separate issue. That needs to change.
Finally, I bring 15 years of military experience to the table. I am aware of many issues affecting veterans as well as our active soldiers and airmen.
I look forward to listening and learning from the people of Hollis. I invite you to not only express concerns, but also listen to your solutions for the many issues which affect our lives.