Dr. Michael Kelly is the director of scoliosis and spinal deformities in the Division of Orthopedics & Scoliosis at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego. Dr. Kelly received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at UC San Francisco. He later completed two spine fellowships including the complex spinal deformity fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. He has more than 150 peer-reviewed publications focused on improving outcomes for pediatric and adult spine surgery.

Prior to coming to Rady Children's, Dr. Kelly was an associate professor of orthopedic and neurological surgery, director of the fellowship in adult and pediatric spine surgery, and director of spine research at Washington University in St. Louis. He has conducted extensive research focused on improving the quality of care in patients with spinal deformities through both clinical and translational projects. He also has extensive experience in managing the most complex of adult and pediatric spinal deformities. He continues to perform research across the ages as a member of the International Spine Study Group (adult), the Harms Study Group (pediatrics), and the AO Spinal Deformity Knowledge Forum. He serves on the board of directors for Scoliosis Research Society.