BIO

Kelly is a dedicated and compassionate physician assistant with nearly 15 years of experience in internal medicine, endocrinology and gastroenterology in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

She received her undergraduate degree in dietetics, graduating summa cum laude, from the University of Northern Colorado. Kelly then completed her dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Over a five-year period, she worked as a clinical dietitian at several Denver-area hospitals. Kelly then earned her master’s degree in medical science at St. Francis University while also completing her physician assistant certificate.

For the past five years, she has worked at South Denver Gastroenterology and her role encompasses general gastroenterology, but she has special interest in metabolic disorders and is a steering committee member of MAPP (an APP driven educational organization focused on metabolic disease). Prior to joining South Denver GI, Kelly served as an internal medicine/hospitalist physician assistant and an endocrinology physician assistant. She finds that the metabolic disease space brings together the different aspects of her career.

When not working, she enjoys time in the beautiful Colorado outdoors, along with her husband and two children.

MASLD-MASH Content Featuring Kelly

Related Content

Serological Workup: A Step-by-Step Guide

July 2025

In this comprehensive video, Sherona Bau, NP from UCLA, breaks down the essential hepatology workup for patients with MASLD (formerly NAFLD) and MASH, offering guidance for both primary care providers and GI/hepatology specialists. Drawing from her extensive clinical experience, she outlines a systematic approach to evaluating abnormal liver ultrasound findings—starting with critical labs to rule out chronic liver conditions like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis, PBC, and hereditary hemochromatosis. Sherona discusses the importance of ordering ANA, AMA, ferritin, serologies, and even specialized labs like the phosphatidylethanol (PEth) test to uncover alcohol-related liver disease that may be overlooked. She emphasizes the need to screen for cardiometabolic risk factors including type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia and highlights non-invasive tests such as FibroScan and FIB-4 to help identify patients at risk of advanced fibrosis who may benefit from specialist referral. Most importantly, Sherona addresses the fears many patients face around liver disease progression and life expectancy, encouraging early intervention and coordinated care to improve long-term outcomes. This video is a must-watch for any clinician managing steatotic liver disease.

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MASH/MASLD in Type 2 Diabetes: Concurrent Medication Management

July 2025

In this informative episode, Whitney Steinmetz, NP from Presbyterian Medical Group in Albuquerque, NM, explores how to optimize medication strategies for patients with type 2 diabetes who are also living with MASLD and MASH. She discusses why individuals with type 2 diabetes are at significantly higher risk for developing advanced liver fibrosis—highlighting the overlapping metabolic, inflammatory, and insulin-resistant pathways that accelerate liver damage. Whitney breaks down how commonly prescribed diabetes medications—like GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, TZDs, and dual/triple incretins—impact liver fat, inflammation, and fibrosis progression. She offers practical guidance on selecting therapies that balance glycemic control with hepatic benefits while minimizing polypharmacy. Learn which medications may offer dual cardiometabolic and hepatic advantages, and which should be avoided or used with caution in patients with cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis. Tune in for real-world insights into how advanced practice providers can take ownership of MASH management in diabetes care.

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