Hometown medicine

After growing up with a father who is a police officer and a mother who is a nurse, Mikayla Kelley, PA-C, was inspired to consider a profession that would allow her to serve others.

“And I loved math and science,” she added.

Her early influences and academic passions led Kelley to become a physician assistant (PA). She works primarily at Columbus Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic.

A passion for hometown care
Kelley, who is from Columbus, said part of the reason she became a PA is because she knew it would likely provide more opportunities to practice in her hometown, care for her community and live closer to her family.

“I’ve always been family-oriented, so I knew I didn’t plan on moving out of the state or even to Omaha,” she said. “I prefer to be closer to home.”

Kelley earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska Omaha, followed by a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from the College of St. Mary in Omaha. As part of her PA training, she completed clinical rotations at various Columbus Community Hospital clinics.

In fall 2021, Kelley started working at CCH, realizing her dream of providing health care in her hometown.

Kelley works with Dr. Brandon L. Borer, a foot and ankle specialist, at the orthopedic clinic. She sees patients in the orthopedic clinic in Columbus and at satellite offices in Albion, Norfolk and Neligh.

She treats patients with a wide range of foot and ankle conditions, from arthritis to tendonitis and sports injuries to bunions. She also assists in the operating room during surgeries, such as total ankle replacements.

In addition to her work in orthopedics and sports medicine, Kelley provides wound care one day per month at the Wound, Ostomy and Continence (W.O.C.) Health Center at CCH. Experts at the W.O.C. Health Center treat a wide range of non-healing wounds, such as diabetes-related foot ulcers.

A people person

Kelley appreciates that she is able to provide many different types of care in her role at CCH. She enjoys helping people who are suffering from injuries, wounds or other conditions regain a higher quality of life.

“I love the relationships I get to build with my patients,” she said.

Kelley approaches each patient’s care as she would for someone in her family.

“They are treated how I would want my mom or my dad to be treated,” she said. “I think that’s important.”

A gym, a race track or a golf course

In her spare time, Kelley enjoys spending time with her family and working out.

“I’m a pretty big gym rat,” she said. “I like to work out in the morning. It’s my stress-reliever.”

She also plays golf with her family. And in the summertime, she attends thrilling dirt-track stock car races with her husband, who is one of the racers.

“I probably love it more than my husband does!” she said.