by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
For 25 years, Dr. Robert Kiely has served as the medical director for the Jacksonville Fire/Rescue Department. He’s also owned and sold the Lakewood and Arlington Acute Care Centers, which are now Baptist Urgent Care Centers.
Wednesday afternoon, Kiely — who is 54 years old — made a major career decision: He was commissioned and sworn in as a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army Reserve. After an assignment in Atlanta with the 3rd Medical Command, Kiely is headed to Iraq.
“It’s an opportunity I didn’t know existed,” said Kiely, who went to medical school at the University of Florida.
Capt. John Presky of the U.S. Navy conducted the ceremony. He and Kiely have known each other for 13 years. Presky was assigned to Jacksonville in 1986 and trained to trace submarines. He said joining the military isn’t just about tracing subs or being a military officer.
“There’s the commonality of being an officer,” said Presky. “What you are doing is very special. Over 25 years, you have an incredible record of service. There is no doubt you will embrace this challenge.”
Kiely said he has worked with many members of both the JFRD and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office who were either ex-military or have gone to Iraq over the past few years. That exposure to so many others willing to go to war inspired him to enlist in the reserves and take his field of expertise to the Gulf region.
Kiely said he knows what he’s getting into.
“I know a lot of firefighters over there now,” he said. “I e-mail them and talk to them every few days. I will be assigned to Baghdad. I am looking forward to it. I’ll be with my firefighter friends and it’s a great opportunity to serve.”
Mayor John Peyton said he’s impressed by Kiely’s decision.
“I am glad we have people like him willing to step up and serve their country,” said Peyton. “It takes an extraordinary amount of courage. We’ve benefited from Dr. Kiely, now the whole country will benefit.”
Kiely could have chosen a strictly private career, one that would ensure financial security. However, he said, practicing medicine wasn’t enough.
“I love the pre-hospital care,” he said. “I like riding with the paramedics and I created some of the department’s standard operating procedures. It’s exciting. I love the teaching aspect.”
In addition to owning the two clinics, Kiely also ran the emergency rooms at Memorial Hospital and Jacksonville Medical Center in the 1980s and early ‘90s.