Kelly Ann Jerry

Kelly graduated in 1986 from Mentor High School in Mentor, Ohio and completed her undergraduate work at Ohio University in 1990.  She married Christopher Jerry in 1991 and began a teaching career in Chardon, Ohio.  After moving to Georgia in 1994, she earned her Masters Degree in Education while teaching in Augusta.

Kelly decided to become a “stay-at-home” mom after her son, Nate, was born in 1997. Her daughter, Katherine, was born in 2001.  Kelly and Chris moved to Concord, Ohio in 2003 and their daughter, Emily, was born in 2004.

Emily was diagnosed with a yolk sac tumor in 2005.  However, this form of cancer was curable and her prognosis was excellent.  After months of surgeries, grueling chemotherapy sessions and endless hospital stays, Emily’s tumor had practically vanished, according to her last MRI.  Emily had only one more chemotherapy session left, which she started on her second birthday, February 24, 2006.  On the third day of her chemotherapy, February 26, she was given a lethal dose of sodium chloride.  Emily screamed in pain while holding her head and soon fell into a coma.  Emily Christine Jerry died March 1, 2006.

Kelly and her husband, Chris, have been working with legislators on a state level and on a federal level to mandate training and regulation of pharmacy technicians.  Kelly has also been working closely with Cathy Horton to help ensure patient safety regarding medication errors.

Kelly worked with Ohio State Senator Tim Grendell to create a bill known as "Emily's law." This proposed law requires pharmacy technicians to pass certification tests before being allowed to dispense medications. Learn more about Emily's Law - and how you can support it

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