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Kara M. Kelly

Division Chief, Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Pediatrics
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Children and cancer, especially children and adolescents with leukemia and lymphoma; Hodgkin lymphoma; immunotherapy

Kara Kelly is an internationally renowned pediatric oncologist with expertise in the care of children and adolescents with leukemia and lymphoma. She is chair of the pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, and is former chair of the National Cancer Institute-supported Children’s Oncology Group Hodgkin lymphoma committee. Kelly has led national clinical trials for Hodgkin lymphoma through this group. She led the clinical trial that led to the FDA’s approval in 2022 of brentuximab vedotin for treating pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma. She also led the trial that led to the FDA’s approval in 2026 of the immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab in combination with chemotherapy for adults and adolescents 12 and older with previously untreated Stage III/IV classic Hodgkin lymphoma. In 2025, Becker’s Hospital Review named Kelly to its list of top 100 leaders in health care.

Kelly can talk to media about treatments for children and adolescents with leukemia and Hodgkin lymphoma. She can discuss the role of integrative medicine in treating children with cancer and how lifestyle factors, such as nutrition, affect outcomes of children with cancer.