Family Practice of Holyoke welcomes Dr. JD Bailey

JD Bailey, M.D., is excited to now call Holyoke home. The family medicine physician began work at Family Practice of Holyoke on Monday, Jan. 11, and can’t wait to begin getting to know his patients and their families.

Bailey brings with him over 20 years of medical experience mixed in with a 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force.

He and his wife, Penny, were very happy where they were living and working in Florida, but they felt that God was pushing them in a different direction.

Bailey sees many job opportunities pop up on his email, but he didn’t immediately delete the one in Holyoke. The Baileys began researching Holyoke and even came for a visit. “We fell in love with the town and the hospital and the people who work here,” he said.

“I walked in the door and saw employees that smiled. That’s rare!” said Bailey. “People enjoy what they’re doing and are happy.”

The physician was drawn to the family atmosphere at Melissa Memorial Hospital and Family Practice of Holyoke. He was also impressed with how well equipped and well staffed the facility was, including some state-of-the-art equipment, not to mention the support that the community has shown to MMH through fundraisers and more.

Years ago, Bailey wanted to someday be able to use his skills as a small-town physician. “We felt like there was a need here for a continuous physician presence,” he said. “I think it’s important for a physician to live where their patients are.”

The Baileys are excited to invest their lives in Holyoke and are loving the quiet, peaceful, relaxed pace in northeastern Colorado.

“I’m thrilled for a new chapter in my medical career,” said Bailey.

Bailey has wide range of experience

As a child of an Army officer, Bailey was born in Alaska and has lived in numerous locations; however, he spent most of his youth growing up in a small town in the Birmingham, Alabama, region.

Bailey also joined the military and was a KC-135 navigator and an EC-135 pilot for 12 years in the Air Force.

After graduating from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, he served an additional 18 years in the Air Force with experience as a family medicine physician, special operations flight surgeon and chief of the medical staff. He was also deployed to Afghanistan for 13 months as commander of the largest and busiest trauma center/aeromedical evacuation hub in the country.

Bailey retired from the Air Force in 2015 and practiced as a solo direct primary care physician in Crestview, Florida. He also served as the medical director for the Northwest Florida State College EMS training program and was co-medical director for Okaloosa County, Florida, EMS. He and his wife served on the board of directors of the Crossroads Center, a nonprofit clinic that provided free medical and dental care.

Bailey’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Birmingham Southern College, a master’s degree in aeronautical sciences from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a master’s degree in national security strategy from National War College and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine.

Additionally, he graduated from the University of Alabama EMT basic, EMT intermediate and EMT paramedic programs. He has experience as a volunteer firefighter paramedic, and he worked for a private ambulance service as well.

Bailey’s interests outside of work include fishing, self-reliance, emergency preparedness and pre-hospital medicine.

He and Penny have three adult children: a daughter in Aspen, a son in Dallas, Texas, and a daughter in Austin, Texas.

Penny will stay busy finishing a doctorate in social policy, and the couple looks forward to finding ways to get involved in a church, community endeavors and other interests that may pop up in the coming months.