Why Dr. Jacob Kelly Left Traditional Medicine for a New Kind of Cardiac Practice
IMD Episode 66: The Ride of Our Lives with Dr. Jacob Kelly
Written by Dr. Robert Beck
Welcome back, everyone!
This week on Interesting MD, I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Jacob Kelly, a Duke-trained transplant cardiologist who practices out of Anchorage, Alaska. Not only does he have a wildly impressive resume (including treating over 10,000 patients at the top levels of heart care), but he also happens to be one of the most forward-thinking and genuinely human physicians I know.
In this post, I wanted to reflect on our conversation and share a few core takeaways for anyone interested in the future of medicine, the patient experience, or how physicians can reclaim meaning and connection in their work.
About Dr. Jacob Kelly: From Texas to Alaska
Grew up in Bedford, Texas, and found his love for adventure on cross-country trips to Colorado as a kid
Trained at some of the U.S.'s best institutions: University of Colorado, UT Southwestern, Duke University
Ultimately landed in Anchorage, Alaska, drawn by both the mountains and the opportunity to practice a broader, more impactful version of medicine
Fun fact: His journey included overcoming a major trauma, relearning how to walk, and making lifestyle changes that shaped both his personal and professional approach
Practicing Cardiology on the Frontier
Anchorage itself serves about 300,000 people but as a medical hub, its reach feels much larger—cardiologists here regularly deal with “frontier medicine” cases that would go straight to a major academic center elsewhere
Working in Alaska means combining generalist know-how with specialist skills; it’s a place where you’re constantly reminded of the value of broad clinical training
Founder of LVAD (left ventricular assist device) and transplant care locally, often collaborating with centers across the "lower 48"
Breaking Away: A New Model of Physician Practice
Like so many of us, Dr. Jacob Kelly became increasingly frustrated with the shuffle towards less patient time, more bureaucracy, and an endless parade of electronic health records and checkboxes
Rather than tough it out, he stepped away from the traditional fee-for-service model; he created a boutique practice, prioritizing time with patients, prevention, and genuine shared decision-making
He now works across multiple states, offering a blend of advanced cardiometabolic care, preventive interventions, and old-fashioned availability for his patients
The Power of Prevention and Longevity Medicine
Dr. Kelly is a passionate advocate for starting early: Why wait until the disease hits? What if we shifted resources to prevention for people in their 30s and 40s?
His interests gravitated towards the emerging world of longevity and lifestyle medicine—not anti-aging fads, but evidence-based steps people can take (often at low or no cost) for longer, healthier lives
He sees exercise as a "free stress test" and works to empower patients to take agency over their health journeys
The transition also reignited his own curiosity: delving back into lipidology, hypertension management, and even revisiting screenings as his patients outlive their early heart problems
Rural Health: The Ride of Our Lives
Together with his wife (an outstanding nurse practitioner), Dr. Jacob Kelly co-founded Rule Health—short for "Ride of Our Lives"
This practice is about patient-first, individualized, preventive care rooted in meaningful conversation and shared goals
He approaches everyone's health journey as unique—no one-size-fits-all protocol, but true partnership and tailored plans
Reflections and Lessons
Patients—and doctors—are hungry for less “checkbox medicine” and more real connection, coaching, and preventive focus
The traditional health insurance system is making this harder, not easier, with layers of paperwork, billing complexity, and increasing costs for both doctor and patient
As a Canadian-trained physician working in both systems, I will continue to advocate for universal, single-payer care—and I found it refreshing to hear Dr. Kelly openly discussing the pain points of U.S. healthcare
Innovation often comes from stepping away from the mainstream, listening to your instincts, and prioritizing what actually matters to your patients
Connect with Dr. Kelly
You can find Dr. Jacob Kelly on Substack at "Jake Kelly MD" and at his website, Rule Health https://www.jakekellymd.com/
He’s an inspiration to both patients and other clinicians—and a reminder that meaningful work is possible, even in the changing landscape of medicine.
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Thanks for reading, and don't forget to check out the full episode on the podcast! If you liked what you heard, give us a like, hype, and subscribe for more great conversations from the frontlines of medicine.
Stay curious,
Dr. Robert Beck