Dr. Kelly to help lead Rady Children’s orthopedic surgery division by integrating advanced technologies
May 10, 2022 – San Diego, Calif. – Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, a national leader in pediatric health care, today announced the appointment of Michael Kelly, MD, as its new director of scoliosis and spinal deformities.
In his new role, Dr. Kelly will oversee the development of the orthopedics practice at Rady Children’s and work alongside world-renowned surgeon Peter Newton, MD, chief of the Division of Orthopedics & Scoliosis and surgeon-in-chief at Rady Children’s, to ensure patients receive the most advanced orthopedic care.
By integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence into pediatric orthopedic medicine, Dr. Kelly and Dr. Newton aim to democratize access to advanced medical care beyond the walls of Rady Children’s for patients who may face challenges in accessing medical resources.
Dr. Kelly joins Rady Children’s from Washington University in St. Louis where he was an Associate Professor of Orthopedic and Neurological Surgery, Director of the Fellowship in Adult and Pediatric Spine Surgery, and Director of Spine Research. With over a decade of experience practicing medicine, Dr. Kelly is one of the nation’s leading pediatric orthopedic surgeons and has conducted extensive research focused on improving the quality of care in adult and pediatric spinal deformities through both clinical and translational projects.
“Welcoming a surgeon as meticulous, skilled and dedicated as Dr. Kelly to Rady Children’s is very exciting for our orthopedic team and the patients and parents who depend on us for optimal care,” said Dr. Newton. “His track record and remarkable understanding of spinal deformities combined with his inquisitive, research-oriented approach will further solidify Rady Children’s as a leader in orthopedic medicine.”
“Rady Children’s is a dream come true for a physician like me who values providing the best care possible while propelling the standards of care forward through extensive research and use of innovative technology,” said Dr. Kelly. “I’m delighted to bring my unique expertise to such an accomplished team that cares so deeply about improving the lives of their patients.”
Dr. Kelly received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed his residency at the University of California – San Francisco. He later completed two fellowships at the Washington University in St. Louis, where he studied complex adult and pediatric deformities, while simultaneously receiving his master’s degree in clinical research.
About Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego
Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego is the largest children’s hospital on the West Coast and one of the nation’s top pediatric health care systems. Consistently ranked in all 10 pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report, Rady Children’s includes a 511-bed pediatric hospital that serves as the largest provider of comprehensive pediatric medical services in San Diego, southern Riverside and Imperial counties. With more than 40 locations, Rady Children’s is the only health system in the San Diego area dedicated exclusively to pediatric health care and is the region’s only designated pediatric trauma center. Rady Children’s is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations to support its mission. For more information, visit rchsd.org and find us on Facebook, Twitter and Vimeo.
Media Contact:
Ben Metcalf
619-822-8593 (c)
bmetcalf@rchsd.org