Growing up in the Hudson Valley in New York, Dr. James F.X. Kenealy was very close to his grandfather who became ill and eventually passed away from lung cancer. “It was a very frustrating and disheartening experience. I felt very helpless that I couldn’t do anything,” he explains. “That made me want to have a medical career so I could do something to help others in a similar situation.”

Now a board-certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Kenealy enjoys treating patients dealing with a number of problems including tonsil and adenoid issues, ear infections, allergies, sinus problems, sleep apnea, balance problems, hearing loss, tinnitus, and other problems of the head and neck. “There’s a tremendous diversity in the field in terms of what you treat, plus you get to treat the young, the elderly and everyone in between. In terms of specialties, I think Otolaryngology is one of the hidden gems of medicine.”

Dr. Kenealy believes in a team-focused approach when it comes to treating patients. “I believe in giving patients the information they need to make good decisions about their health. Communication is very important, not just physician-patient communication but also doctor-to-doctor communication, which provides better integration and coordination of care.”

In his practice Dr. Kenealy enjoys being able to take advantage of the latest surgical technologies to help his patients. He was one of the first ENT physicians in the area to perform functional endoscopic sinus surgery and laser surgery. “There have been a lot of interesting technological advances on the surgical side. The fiber-optic endoscopes have made a big difference. A lot of procedures that used to have to be performed in an operative setting under general anesthesia can now be done in an office setting, and that really benefits patients. There are also other great advances such as robotic surgery, cochlear implants, and big advances in chemo and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer patients.”

Since he likes to use his hands at work, it’s not surprising that Dr. Kenealy enjoys fly tying and fly-fishing in his spare time. He also likes to garden during the warmer months and enjoys skiing in the winter. In 2011, Dr. Kenealy received the RX for Excellence – Leader in Quality award from the Massachusetts Medical Law Report. In 2014, Dr. Kenealy was honored as the Community Clinician of the Year by the Middlesex West District Medical Society. You can learn more about this award and Dr. Kenealy here.