Kelsey Seybold Clinic Founder, Dr. Mavis Kelsey, Celebrates 100th Birthday

Kelsey-Seybold commemorates founder’s birthday with week-long celebration

Houston (September 24, 2012) – Nearly 100 years ago, on Oct. 7, 1912, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s future founder and leader Dr. Mavis Kelsey was born in Deport, Texas. As he celebrates his 100th birthday, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic honors Dr. Mavis Kelsey – a medical pioneer, family man, business innovator, philanthropist, beloved leader, teacher and friend.

“Dr. Kelsey’s dream of world-class healthcare embraced everyone. He built his one-man medical practice into the region’s largest independent multispecialty clinic,” said Spencer R. Berthelsen, M.D., Chairman & Managing Director of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. “He is an extraordinary man who has made extraordinary contributions to the healthcare industry and the Houston community. While his accomplishments are many, his legacy of collaborative, compassionate care that puts patients first is a key component of our practice today.”

A fifth-generation Texan, Dr. Kelsey returned from a prestigious position at the Mayo Clinic to start his own clinic in the budding Texas Medical Center. In 1949, he established Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, a premier medical group that today provides comprehensive medical care in a patient-centered environment. The Kelsey-Seybold model of care brings primary care physicians together with specialists and medical technology “all under one roof” – to deliver high-quality, coordinated care.

Dr. Kelsey’s impact on Houston reaches well beyond his medical practice.  He was the first endocrinologist recruited by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, consulting as an expert on thyroid cancer cases. While at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Kelsey gave the first dose of radioiodine to a Houston patient. In 1956, his brother, Dr. John Kelsey, joined him in founding the Kelsey Research Foundation.

He was a revered Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Professor Emeritus at Baylor College of Medicine in the Texas Medical Center. He also served two terms as acting Dean of the Post-Graduate School of Medicine at The University of Texas.  

“Dr. Kelsey really enjoyed the practice of medicine – and I think that’s been contagious for all of us. Taking care of our patients is a group effort that’s greater than all of us as individuals. This is the model Mavis established from the very beginning,” Dr. Berthelsen said. “His legacy is one of excellence and collaboration across several institutions and adherence to providing high quality care for the patients he served and the clinic he served. This has been so important to our growth, and to the reputation that Kelsey-Seybold enjoys today.”

Today more than 370 Kelsey-Seybold physicians continue his mission of providing quality healthcare to the community he loves.

Berthelsen concluded; “On his 100th birthday, our doctors, nurses and staff salute the man who will always be our leader, and our ‘Doctor of the Century.’ It is his vision that continues to inspire us every day.”

Kelsey-Seybold patients are welcome to click here for more information about Dr. Kelsey’s 100th birthday, read his impressive biography and history and post a personal birthday greeting on the guestbook.

To celebrate this momentous milestone, Kelsey-Seybold employees are invited to participate in events throughout the week leading up to Dr. Kelsey’s birthday on Sunday, October 7.  

Events will include:

• Monday, Oct. 1: A commemorative Special Edition of Kaleidoscope (Kelsey-Seybold’s employee publication) to be distributed to all Kelsey-Seybold staff celebrating Dr. Kelsey’s vision, accomplishments and legacy
• Tuesday, Oct. 2: Kelsey-Seybold’s executive leadership team will attend The City of Houston’s City Council Meeting to receive a Proclamation presented by Mayor Annise Parker commemorating Oct. 7th as Dr. Mavis P. Kelsey Day.
• Wednesday, Oct. 3: All Kelsey-Seybold employees are asked to wear blue, Kelsey-Seybold’s corporate color, in honor of Dr. Kelsey.
• Thursday, Oct. 4:In a 100th birthday salute to Dr. Kelsey – a shining example of someone who has done so many kind things for others – Kelsey-Seybold employees will show him that his spirit of generosity lives on by doing random acts of kindness on“100 Good Deeds Day.” Their good deeds will be shared on Kelsey-Seybold social media channels.   
• Friday, Oct. 5: Mavis P. Kelsey’s Birthday Party Day will be celebrated at each clinic.
• Saturday, Oct. 6: Employees and their families will plant 100 native plants at the Houston Arboretum Nature Center in honor of Dr. Kelsey, who is an avid gardener. Kelsey-Seybold Clinic will donate 100 plants and 100 trees. 

Individuals are also invited to make a donation to the Kelsey Research Foundation’s Annual Fundraising Campaign in honor of Dr. Kelsey’s 100th birthday at kelseyresearch.com/contribute.