Dr. John Kelly

MS Specialist & Provider

Attracted by the wild beauty of the Last Frontier and a profound need for specialized neurological care, Dr. John Kelly brought his clinical expertise to Alaska with a clear vision. His journey from the medical hubs of the Lower 48 to the vast landscapes of the North was driven by a commitment to bring world-class Multiple Sclerosis treatment to a community that balances rugged resilience with a deep need for compassionate, local support.

Clinical Focus: MS & Whole-Person Care

Dr. John Kelly is a neurologist with over 35 years of experience whose path to Alaska was a long time coming.

Born in Arkansas and trained in Denver — where his medical education included the memorable experience of having a notorious serial killer as a patient, one who favored banana pudding as her weapon of choice — he went on to build his career in Cincinnati before dedicating years to serving underserved communities in Kentucky.

Through it all, Alaska kept pulling him back. He'd spent years adventuring across the state — the kind of trips that included being dropped off 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle just to see if he could find his way out.

He bought a home in Fairbanks in 2017 with plans to retire. That lasted about as long as you'd expect for someone who tells medical students that neurology is the greatest specialty in the world.

Dr. Kelly's clinical focus has evolved over the course of his career, from neuro-oncology and interventional pain management to what he now calls his passion: multiple sclerosis. He treats MS patients with the latest IV therapies — some requiring infusions as little as once every six months — but he's equally invested in what happens beyond the prescription pad. His approach incorporates physical therapy, yoga, lifestyle management, and a growing interest in the medicinal traditions of Alaska Native plant knowledge, all aimed at giving patients a sense of control back over their lives.

When Northern Neurology launched its Fairbanks location, it became the first and only MS specialty clinic in that part of the state. The practice has since expanded to Wasilla, where the main office is based, with an Anchorage clinic extending access further. Dr. Kelly's mission statement for the practice comes down to two words he repeats to his team: exceptional and serve. Exceptional means going well beyond the minimum — and serve means the patients come first, always.

 He's also, by his own admission and the testimony of his staff, incapable of passing up a good prank. Whether it's convincing his team he accidentally ran over expensive clinical equipment in the parking lot or devising new ways to keep everyone on their toes, there's a reason his patients and staff describe him the same way: he connects through laughter. As he'd put it — always helping create those new neural pathways.

 Dr. Kelly lives in Alaska year-round and embraces the lifestyle alongside his patients. He's an avid outdoorsman, a proud sponsor of Iditarod musher Riley Weisch, and the owner of one of the clinic's "Dogtrs," the clinic's unofficial mascot who doesn't realize she's a dog.

Dr. John Kelly

Clinical Focus: MS & Whole-Person Care

Meet Dr. John Kelly