Our colleague Elisabeth (Lisa) Kelley, MD, passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm on Saturday, September 30.  Dr. Kelley joined Cincinnati Children’s in 1998 serving in the Community Health Services Network at Children’s Health Care Batesville and Greensburg as a Staff Physician III. 

Receiving her Doctor of Medicine degree from Georgetown University in Washington DC, Dr. Kelley completed her residency at Georgetown University Hospital where she was the Chief Resident from 1992-1993. Dr. Kelley has been practicing primary care pediatrics in Batesville and Greensburg, Indiana since her residency. During her time there, Dr. Kelley was co-medical director of Children’s Health Care and served on the Board of Directors of Margaret Mary Health (MMH). She was a long-standing member of the Medical Ethics Committee and served on the Integrative Medicine Committee at MMH. In the community, she also served as a member of the Young Child Wellness Council serving Southeastern Indiana. 

Dr. Gretchen Hartz, one of her colleagues, said,  “Lisa Kelley was everything a pediatrician should be, knowledgeable, approachable, thorough, and invested in everything that makes children healthy including living in the community her patients grow up in and striving to make that environment a place where they can thrive. She loved to collaborate and has inspired many bright young people to enter the health care field as well. My own family, life and career have been enriched and brightened by her presence in it and she will never be forgotten.”

Equally, Dr. Kelley was praised by the patients and families she cared for at both Batesville and Greensburg offices.  One family said “Dr. Elisabeth Kelley is exceptional and very knowledgeable. She listens so well and also ensures that we have a say in our child's care. She also called the next day to check on our son to ensure he was going to get the follow up care she recommended and to make necessary arrangements if his symptoms had not improved. Outstanding.” Another family commented on her family-focused care saying, “Dr. Kelley always takes time to answer and explain thoroughly any questions or concerns I have.”

Dr. Kelley was loved and valued by colleagues throughout Cincinnati Children’s and will be greatly missed.  Our thoughts are with Lisa’s family, friends, and coworkers as we share their sorrow at this difficult time.

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