James Kelso, chief compliance and public information officer at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, announced today that he is leaving his position effective Aug. 14. 

Kelso will join his wife, Becky, who has accepted a position with a private dermatology practice in San Antonio.

The decision to relocate was a difficult one, Kelso said. 

“I am honored to have been a part of the UTMB family and I will always consider myself to be a part of this university,” he said. 

“I am grateful to have worked with so many individuals who care deeply about the work they do,” he said. “The commitment of the leadership and the people here to address difficult and complex issues has inspired me, shaped me and will serve me well.” 

Kelso, 37, joined UTMB in 1997 as a staff attorney in the institution’s office of legal affairs. He was promoted to attorney in 2000, privacy officer in 2001 and in 2008 was named chief compliance officer. 

A native Galvestonian and Ball High School graduate, Kelso earned his law degree from the University of Houston’s Law Center in 1997. He is an expert in rules governing privacy and legal issues affecting health care and medical research. 

In 2000, Kelso earned a Master of Legal Letters, also at the University of Houston Law Center’s Health Law and Policy Institute. U.S. News & World Report ranks its health law program among the best in the nation. In 2005, Kelso passed the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Certification Exam for Health Law, joining about 60 attorneys in the state in that specialty. 

As UTMB’s public information officer, Kelso has been responsible for handling more than 200 public information requests annually. He serves as a member of numerous UTMB committees including, the Institutional Compliance Committee, the Medical Staff Executive Committee, the Conflict of Interest Committee and the Institutional Audit Committee.

“Jim has served in a critical role for the university, providing excellent legal and compliance counsel for UTMB,” said Carolee King, vice president and chief legal and regulatory affairs officer. “He will be missed and we all wish him the very best,” she said. 

A search has begun to recruit a new chief compliance officer. In the interim, King will fulfill compliance duties. Nathan Andersen will act as the university’s public information officer until the position is filled.