Chris Kelly, PA-C is an experienced provider with over ten years of medical experience who joined Southern West Virginia Health System in 2013. Since then, he has been working to improve the health and wellness of the patients he sees by providing local access to family medicine in southern West Virginia.  

Chris works with patients of all ages and stages providing family medicine and women’s health at our SWVHS-Gilbert health center in Mingo County.   

Chris is welcoming new patients into his practice at SWVHS - Gilbert and seeks to build a partnership with his patients in order to help them live their healthiest lives. 

Chris Kelly, PA-C practices at:  

• SWVHS - Gilbert 

Areas of focus for Chris Kelly, PA-C include:  

• Family Medicine 
• Women’s Health 
• Same Day Appointments 
• CDL Physicals 
• Walk-In Service
• Family Planning
• Hepatitis C Treatment
• Partnership with WVU Medicine for Rheumatology Services

What is a PA-C?  

A PA-C is a Physician Assistant-Certified. PA-C’s go through a graduate program at an accredited physician assistant program or an established bachelor of physician assistant program, and undergo a rigorous exam known as PANCE, (Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination) through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). PA-C’s are educated in general medicine with a disease-centered curriculum model with the opportunity to specialize in a variety of disciplines.  

• PA-C’s are able to provide direct patient care no matter the age or stage in life of the patients they see. 
• They diagnose and treat illness, and in appropriate situations, can perform some minor in-office procedures.  
• PA-C’s are licensed through their state and practice medicine with a supervising physician.  
• They are able to provide direct patient care no matter the age or stage in life.  

What is Family Medicine? 

Family medicine is a service within primary care that involves the overall well-being and health of an individual no matter their gender, age, or stage in life. This service includes: 

• Preventative care 
• Diagnosis, and treatment of many illnesses and injuries 
• Management of chronic conditions  

What is Women’s Health? 

Women’s Health primarily refers to appointments that specifically address exams and tests that are specific to the health and wellness of women’s reproductive organs. With new developments that continuously improve the detection and treatment of conditions that adversely affect women, staying up-to-date with your primary care provider appointments has never been more impactful for your long-term health and wellness.   

What is Same Day Appointment? 

Minor injuries and sudden onset of short-term illness are commonly referred to as an acute care need, and to provide our communities with medical services that address these situations we offer a service that is called a Same Day appointment.  

Same Day appointments are available at SWVHS-Oceana during its operating hours, and we ask that a patient in need of this service call ahead to be ‘slotted’ into an appointment time as we have limited staff providing service at this location, and this will prevent a long wait time for the patient inside our waiting area.  Some examples of what health concerns can be seen through a Walk-In appointment are:  

• Shallow cuts & abrasions 
• Muscle sprains & strains 
• Minor burns 
• Sore throat or ear infections 
• Urinary tract infections 
• Rash without fever 
• Symptoms associated with flu, cold, strep throat 
• Respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19, seasonal allergies 
• Insect bite or sting that requires attention *please note if you receive an insect bit or sting and are experiencing throat swelling and the inability to breathe without complication this is an emergency situation – call 911- this could signify an allergic reaction 

What is a CDL physical? 

A commercial driver’s license, CDL, physical is a specific medical examination that a person who is seeking this type of license must have in order to secure the licensure.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, (FMCSA), sets the regulations for safe operation of commercial vehicles in the country, and each state also has specific regulations.   

Only medical professionals who are listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners can conduct/issue the examination and certificate necessary for the physical examination.   

This type of medical exam is conducted to ensure an individual meet the health requirements associated with the ability to perform the duties of commercial driving.  

How do I schedule a Family Medicine or Women’s Health appointment with Chris Kelly, PA-C at SWVHS-Gilbert?  

To schedule a Family Medicine or Women’s Health appointment with Chris Kelly, PA-C at SWVHS-Gilbert, call 304-664-6270 and speak with a Front Office member who will be happy to help you. 

What should I expect at a family medicine appointment if I am a new patient?  

As a new patient to our practice and to Chris Kelly, PA-C, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to process your new patient paperwork. You will be asked to provide your photo identification and medical insurance information to our Front Office member during the check-in process. We ask that you bring a list of all medications you take, both over-the-counter and prescribed, to provide to our nursing staff at the beginning of your appointment with Chris Kelly, PA-C. 

Your new patient appointment will take approximately a half-hour to establish a strong knowledge of your medical history, assessment of your current condition and services considered necessary by Chris Kelly, PA-C. 

What should I expect at a family medicine appointment as an established patient with Chris Tipton, PA-C?  

As an established patient with Chris Kelly, PA-C we ask that you provide your photo identification and medical insurance information to our Front Office member during the check-in process. If you have had any changes to your contact information since the last time you visited us, please let us know during this time. 

Your established patient appointment with Chris Kelly, PA-C, will take approximately 15 minutes. This allows the opportunity to discuss any changes in health you have experienced since your last appointment, the opportunity to notify Chris Kelly, PA-C, of any recent hospital or urgent care visits you have experienced, and an update if any of those visits outside of our organization included a medication both over-the-counter and prescribed. 

Are there pharmacy services nearby?  

Yes! Should Chris Kelly, PA-C, prescribe a medication to you during your appointment, our Gilbert Pharmacy is located inside our SWVHS-Gilbert location. We would be happy to fill your prescription in a timely and efficient manner at this location.   

If you prefer to have your prescriptions sent to a different pharmacy, we are happy to do so.  Just let our staff know at the time you are asked which pharmacy location you prefer.