John D. Kelly IV, MD attended Columbia University in New York, where he received the Class of 1919 Football Cup to the varsity football player with the highest academic average. He graduated with honors at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he received the Swain Award for "easing the burden of fellow students." He received his orthopedic training at the University of Pennsylvania and completed a Fellowship in Sports Medicine at Temple University, where he remained as a faculty member for 19 years. He returned to Penn in 2008, where he serves as Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Director of Shoulder Sports Medicine. He is also Director of the Throwing Clinic at Penn. His clinical and research interests include disorders of the shoulder, arthritis prevention, diabetes, and holistic orthopedics. He has a profound interest in physician leadership development and well-being, and he lectures extensively on matters of wellness and personal balance.

Dr. Kelly has served various leadership positions including President of the Penn Orthopedic Society, the Board of Trustees for Arthroscopy, and the Board of Directors for the Arthroscopy Association of North America. He is the Immediate Past President of the Eastern Orthopaedic Association.

Dr. Kelly has been married to the love of his life, Marie S. Kelly, for 32 years and is the proud parent of twin daughters, Mary and Ann Marie.