About Dr. John Kelly

Dr. Kelly completed his undergraduate BS degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Shepherd College in 1996 graduating Summa Cum Laude as a McMurran Scholar. He then completed the Dual MD/MPH Degree Program at Loma Linda University, completing his medical degree in the School of Medicine in 2000 where he served as a member of the School of Medicine Senate, and his Master's of Public Health in Epidemiology in 2002 with honors. He then completed his medical residency in Preventive Medicine at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine and is now Board Certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

After completion of his medical education, Dr. Kelly accepted a faculty appointment as Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition in the Loma Linda University School of Public Health. He served as the lead researcher for the Lifestyle Research Initiative through 2007. Dr. Kelly continues to serve as faculty for the Department of Preventive Medicine in the Loma Linda University School of Medicine where he works with the Lifestyle Medicine residency.

Dr. Kelly's research interests focus on the therapeutic application of lifestyle interventions in the treatment of disease, with special emphases on cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, hypertension, insulin resistance and obesity.

He conducted a multi-center pilot study on the use of intensive lifestyle modifications in the treatment of chronic disease at a number of physician-supervised residential Lifestyle Centers around the country. The study found significant improvement in surrogate measures of disease status in just three weeks, including BMI, blood pressure and serum lipids and serum glucose. A multi-center prospective follow-up study is pending funding.

He also serves as co-Principal Investigator for a congressionally funded, multi-year, randomized clinical trial of lifestyle intervention in the treatment of diabetes in the Marshall Islands being conducted with Canvasback Missions, Inc. The study has shown that simple lifestyle changes, including a plant-based diet and modest exercise, can reduce blood sugars dramatically in just 10 days.

Dr. Kelly served as Co-Investigator and medical director for a lifestyle intervention study recently conducted with Carilion Clinic diabetic patients in Roanoke, Virginia. The Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) program changed lifestyle habits and dramatically reduced blood sugars and other cardiac risk factors. (e.g. 26% drop in FBS)

Dr. Kelly is the President and Executive-Medical Director for Lifestyle Health Education, Inc., a non-profit (501.c.3) organization providing physician-led lifestyle interventions for the treatment and management of chronic disease. The primary offices are located in Rocky Mount, Virginia. Dr. Kelly's Lifestyle Medicine-based practice is located at the Center.