Dr. Tim Kelly spent more than 30 years as the medical director of Fairbanks Hospital and another 10 at Community Hospital working with people trying to overcome their addiction to alcohol or drugs. He has retired from those roles, but he is still actively supporting recovery, this time by doing an “Escape from Alcatraz” swim to benefit Dove Recovery House for Women on Saturday, August 8.
Kelly will join about 500 other swimmers in an open water swim from Alcatraz Island to the shore of San Francisco. The trek measures about 1.5 miles in water with temperatures ranging from 60 to 64 degrees. The choppy currents in the water require swimmers to find a landmark in the San Francisco skyline to swim toward so they don’t veer off course. Kelly, who began swimming for fitness when in medical school, hopes to finish in under 55 minutes.
After completing the Alcatraz Shark Fest swim last year, the 73-year-old physician decided to do it again this year but this time to raise money for Dove House in the process, inviting friends, former colleagues, and others to donate.
“The biggest mistake people in treatment for substance use disorder make is underestimating what it takes to beat the problem,” Kelly said. “You need the right environment, the right routines, role models, counseling. Dove House provides all that.”
In the later years of his career, Kelly noticed that an increasing number of his patients were economically disadvantaged. He also noted that many places that call themselves “sober living” offer little more than a space to live.
“Dove House has the dedicated staff, intentionally designed programs, and structure that helps so many women achieve recovery.”
The “Escape from Alcatraz” swim is Kelly’s second swimming fundraiser for Dove House. In 2022, he and 4 friends completed a swim relay around the Florida Keys in support of Dove House.
If you would like to support Dr. Kelly’s escape from Alcatraz swim, visit donate – Dove Recovery House and put “Dr. Kelly’s swim” in the notes section. And if you would like to create your own fundraiser for Dove House, contact Amy Magan, Director of Development, at amagan@doverecoveryhouse.org
Dr. Tim Kelly spent more than 30 years as the medical director of Fairbanks Hospital and another 10 at Community Hospital working with people trying to overcome their addiction to alcohol or drugs. He has retired from those roles, but he is still actively supporting recovery, this time by doing an “Escape from Alcatraz” swim to benefit Dove Recovery House for Women on Saturday, August 8.
Kelly will join about 500 other swimmers in an open water swim from Alcatraz Island to the shore of San Francisco. The trek measures about 1.5 miles in water with temperatures ranging from 60 to 64 degrees. The choppy currents in the water require swimmers to find a landmark in the San Francisco skyline to swim toward so they don’t veer off course. Kelly, who began swimming for fitness when in medical school, hopes to finish in under 55 minutes.
After completing the Alcatraz Shark Fest swim last year, the 73-year-old physician decided to do it again this year but this time to raise money for Dove House in the process, inviting friends, former colleagues, and others to donate.
“The biggest mistake people in treatment for substance use disorder make is underestimating what it takes to beat the problem,” Kelly said. “You need the right environment, the right routines, role models, counseling. Dove House provides all that.”
In the later years of his career, Kelly noticed that an increasing number of his patients were economically disadvantaged. He also noted that many places that call themselves “sober living” offer little more than a space to live.
“Dove House has the dedicated staff, intentionally designed programs, and structure that helps so many women achieve recovery.”
The “Escape from Alcatraz” swim is Kelly’s second swimming fundraiser for Dove House. In 2022, he and 4 friends completed a swim relay around the Florida Keys in support of Dove House.
If you would like to support Dr. Kelly’s escape from Alcatraz swim, visit donate – Dove Recovery House and put “Dr. Kelly’s swim” in the notes section. And if you would like to create your own fundraiser for Dove House, contact Amy Magan, Director of Development, at amagan@doverecoveryhouse.org
