Meet Michael Kelly, PhD PdNHF’s Vice President of Programs

Dr. Kelly brings 24 years of expertise in population health to the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. Supported by the Health Foundation’s Board, talented staff, and many community partners, he manages a comprehensive initiative to strengthen diabetes prevention and management resources. His passion for diabetes prevention and management stems from his personal experience with diabetes. Having received his own diagnosis in his 20s, shortly after completing a Ph.D. in Health Education, fuels his passion for promoting healthy behaviors, medication adherence, and leveraging scientific data to help individuals manage diabetes. The Paso del Norte region grapples with high rates of diabetes, with approximately 11% of El Paso adults diagnosed and an additional 3.4% undiagnosed with diabetes, according to the CDC.

He is grateful to work with community organizations, like Project Vida and NMSU Extension Service, which offer prevention programs for pre-diabetes patients. Likewise, Dr. Kelly oversees grants for NMSU, UTEP, Texas A&M Colonias, and Juárez partners that manage diabetes management efforts offered by promotoras. He also collaborates with El Paso Children’s Hospital on the Empower Program for overweight children and Texas Tech Dental School for a diabetes screening program. Finally, Dr. Kelly oversees funded programs from UTEP that evaluate programs and PHIX to gather and manage diabetes medical data.

In collaboration with community partners, the El Paso Center for Diabetes, a medical advisory group, and members of the Diabetes Alliance, Dr. Kelly, and a marketing team spearheaded a compelling health communication campaign. Diabetes Now What? Signs and Symptoms provides a free and confidential online diabetes type 2 risk test. This test not only helps individuals connect with medical providers but also provides personalized suggestions for managing diabetes effectively.

As June ushers in men’s health awareness month, Dr. Kelly humbly challenges men across the region to take the free risk test by scanning the QR code below.