Our History: 2014 - 2017

2014

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic locations in Pearland and Cypress were among 30 public and private healthcare practices and systems nationwide, and the only institutions in Texas, recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for their success in helping patients control high blood pressure.

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic began offering its Advanced Wellness Exam program at the Downtown Clinic for professionals seeking a personalized and efficient way to manage their health.

On May 5, 2014, the Kelsey Research Foundation raised $241,000 at its 20th Annual Golf Classic, a record amount raised by the organization in a single day.

Upon completion of its six-phase, $5 million renovation in June 2014, Kelsey-Seybold’s West Clinic – now known as the Tanglewood Clinic – received a new name to better reflect its geographic location following Houston’s tremendous growth.

The Kelsey Research Foundation and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, in partnership with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Neighborhood Centers, Inc., piloted the Active Living After Breast Cancer program. Funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), the 12-session program is designed to help breast cancer survivors re-engage in an active lifestyle in order to improve their quality of life and overall health.

In October, all 16 existing Kelsey-Seybold Clinic primary care locations received the Texas Physician Practice Quality Improvement Award, which recognizes outstanding physician practices in the use of health information technology to improve preventive healthcare.

Also in 2014, Kelsey-Seybold opened its doors to patients at new clinic locations in Clear Lake, The Woodlands, and Humble.

2015

In 2015, UnitedHealthcare launched its Charter health benefits plan, which provides Houston-area employers and employees with access to Kelsey-Seybold’s network of physicians and hospital partners.

On February 9, Victor Simms, MD, an Internal Medicine physician at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Pasadena, was appointed Chief of Internal Medicine by the Kelsey-Seybold Board of Directors.

On February 16, Donnie Aga, MD, an Internal Medicine physician at Kelsey-Seybold’s Berthelsen Main Campus, was appointed Medical Director for Healthcare Innovation.

The $21.3 million Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Cancer Center opened its doors to patients on April 8, 2015. Covering more than 30,000 square feet, the nationally accredited Cancer Center occupies the first and second floors of the Berthelsen Main Campus building and introduced new offerings for patients, which included an expanded Infusion Therapy and state-of-the-art Radiation Therapy Suite featuring Varian TrueBeam™ technology.

The Berthelsen Main Campus building was also expanded to include new services and specialties, including Executive Health, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Neurology, Pulmonary and Critical Care, Allergy, Dermatology, and Urology.

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic began offering its Corporate and Executive Health Assessment Program at The Woodlands location.

When the City of Houston adopted a new benefit program to reduce healthcare costs in 2011, many City employees selected the Cigna KelseyCare ACO network affiliated with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. By 2015, the City had achieved an estimated savings of $42 million in healthcare costs.

The Kelsey Research Foundation piloted Project UPLIFT, an eight-week program to treat depression in patients, in August 2015 and hosted its first monthly Epilepsy Support Group meeting in October 2015. These programs were implemented to help Houston-area patients with epilepsy, as well as their loved ones, cope with the challenges of this condition.

On August 19, Kelsey Research Foundation president and CEO Herbert L. DuPont, MD, MACP, was one of 79 UT System professors to receive the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. In addition to his role at KRF, Dr. DuPont was also a professor and director of the Center for Infectious Diseases at UT Health's School of Public Health.

Throughout November, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, the American Diabetes Association, and Luby’s Restaurants formed an exclusive partnership to “BEAT Diabetes.” Luby’s patrons were informed about and encouraged to select the restaurant’s healthier menu options.

2016

On February 9, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic was recertified as an Accountable Care Organization by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and remains the only organization in Houston to receive this accreditation.

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s Cancer Center was the first in Houston, and one of 200 in the nation, to offer cancer treatment using Varian Edge™, the latest technology in radiation therapy and radiosurgery. The Varian Edge was installed in the Cancer Center’s radiation therapy suite in January 2016.

Benjamin Dillon, MD, a urologist specializing in Female Pelvic Medicine, Reconstructive Surgery, and Neurourology, was appointed Associate Chief of Urology by the Kelsey-Seybold Board of Managers.

On May 2, the Kelsey Research Foundation raised $237,000 at its 22nd Annual Golf Classic. Dr. Spencer Berthelsen, who served as Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s managing director at the time, was selected as the honorary chairman of the tournament held at the Quail Valley Golf Club.

On May 4, the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Board of Managers unanimously elected Tony Lin, MD, FHM, an Internal Medicine physician specializing in hospitalist medicine, as the new Chairman of the Board.

On October 12, KelseyCare Advantage was awarded the highest rating for quality and service, five out of five stars, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services following an annual assessment of all Medicare Advantage plans.

On December 7, Donald Owens, MD, FACP, was honored for 50 continuous years of dedicated service as a Kelsey-Seybold Clinic dermatologist – making history as the first employee to achieve this milestone.

Also in 2016, Kelsey-Seybold opened its Katy and Sienna clinics.

2017

On February 1, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic launched its redesigned, responsive website, designed to better cater to visitors accessing the site on digital devices, including computers, tablets, and smartphones. The revamped website debuted upgraded features – including responsive design, simplified appointment scheduling, content integration, optimized pages, and imagery – delivered with shorter load times and a greater user experience.

In the same month, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic began offering telemedicine services for KelseyCare health plan members. E-visits and Video Visits allowed KelseyCare patients with certain acute symptoms and conditions to communicate with Kelsey-Seybold providers remotely through a secure electronic exchange or live video system.

On March 10, after nearly four decades as a key member of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s medical and executive teams, Spencer Berthelsen, MD, FACP, retired as Managing Director and Internal Medicine physician. From the time he had joined Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in 1980, Dr. Berthelsen went on to serve in numerous leadership capacities, including a 15-year tenure as Chairman of the Board.

In April 2017, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic began offering extended hours for pediatric visits at its Spring, Sienna, Pearland, Clear Lake Clinic (Bay Area Campus), and The Woodlands locations along with its Fort Bend Campus (Fort Bend Medical and Diagnostic Center).

The AMGA Foundation honored Kelsey-Seybold Clinic with a 2017 Foundation Star award, which recognizes organizations for their commitment to the American Medical Group Association and the advancement of healthcare.