Dr. James Kelly made South Bend his home in 1986, after six years on the faculty at Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He founded CardioThoracic Surgery, P.C. with Dr. Philip Faraci. Since that time the practice has grown to include five cardiothoracic surgeons practicing at Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph's Regional Medical Center and Elkhart General Hospital.

Dr. Kelly's pursuit of a career in medicine began with a BS in Chemistry from St. Louis University where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He received his medical degree from Northwestern Medical School in Chicago in 1973. He then completed his residencies in General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Barnes Hospital-Washington University School of Medicine where he became Chief Resident and Instructor of Surgery. As Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Kelly practiced at numerous hospitals in the New Orleans area including Tulane University Medical Center, Charity Hospital, the VA Medical Center, Lallie Kemp Charity Hospital, Huey P. Long Medical Center, Touro Infirmary and St. Jude Hospital.

Dr. Kelly holds board certification with the National Board of Medical Examiners, the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and is licensed in the states of Indiana, Michigan and Louisiana. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Chest Physicians. He is also a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association and the International Cardiovascular Society, and has authored dozens of scientific articles, contributed to book chapters and is a frequent reviewer for the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

Away from the practice, Dr. Kelly is active with the American Heart Association, the Alex Coquillard Society of the United Way, Saint Joseph High School, and Northwestern University Medical School Alumni groups.

Together with his wife, Christine, and their four children, the Kelly family enjoys fly fishing, golf and outdoor aerobic activities.