Orthopaedic Surgeon | Shoulder, Elbow & Joint Reconstruction
Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon whose career has been defined by precision, accountability, and service. With more than 7,500 surgical procedures performed and over two decades of military service — including active-duty combat deployments and continued service in the U.S. Army Reserve — he brings mission-driven focus and advanced subspecialty expertise to every patient he treats.
A distinguished military graduate of the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech, Dr. Fitzpatrick earned his medical degree from the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine before completing Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. He then pursued advanced subspecialty training through the prestigious Baylor University/WB Carrell Clinic Shoulder & Elbow Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.
Over the course of his military career, Dr. Fitzpatrick served at multiple Military Treatment Facilities nationwide and completed combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and in support of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). He had the honor of caring for some of the nation’s most elite service members — including Green Berets, Army Rangers, and Navy SEALs — both on and off the battlefield.
In those environments, precision was not optional. Readiness mattered. Outcomes mattered. That same standard of discipline, preparation, and accountability now defines his care for every patient in El Paso.
Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Expertise
Dr. Fitzpatrick has extensive training across the entire musculoskeletal system and is comfortable evaluating and managing a broad spectrum of orthopaedic conditions.
While his subspecialty focus is Shoulder and Elbow reconstruction — including complex and revision surgery — his experience also includes:
- Total hip replacement
- Total knee replacement
- ACL reconstruction
- Meniscus repair
- Fracture care
- Sports-related injuries
He believes patients deserve clarity in diagnosis and confidence in their treatment plan. When highly specialized care is required, he ensures seamless referral to trusted colleagues so patients receive the highest level of expertise.
Academic Leadership & Service
Dr. Fitzpatrick is the author of multiple peer-reviewed publications and has delivered national presentations on orthopaedic topics. He has contributed invited textbook chapters, serves as a peer reviewer for leading orthopaedic journals, and has held academic appointments as an Assistant Professor at two medical schools.
His military career has been recognized with numerous distinctions, including the Meritorious Service Medal and multiple Army Commendation Medals. More importantly, his service shaped his approach to medicine — disciplined, principled, and grounded in responsibility to those he serves.
Philosophy
Dr. Fitzpatrick treats patients the way he would treat his own family.
He believes most shoulder and orthopaedic conditions can be successfully rehabilitated with proper guidance and structured care — often without surgery. When surgery is necessary, he utilizes the most current techniques available, favoring minimally invasive approaches whenever appropriate to optimize recovery and long-term function.
Dr. Fitzpatrick is proud to serve the El Paso community and remains committed to delivering high-level orthopaedic care for years to come.
Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children. As a family, they enjoy traveling, sports, and creating lasting memories together.