12/17/2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lyle J. Micheli, MD, director emeritus of Boston Children’s Sports Medicine Division. Dr. Micheli was a beloved colleague and a transformative figure in pediatric medicine whose visionary work fundamentally changed how we care for young athletes.
Born into a family of immigrant coal miners in Illinois, Dr. Micheli earned a National Merit Scholarship to Harvard. In 1974, having served with distinction during Vietnam, he co-founded the nation's first sports medicine clinic dedicated exclusively to young athletes at Boston Children's, which ultimately became the Sports Medicine Division.
Through his leadership, Dr. Micheli effectively created the field of pediatric sports medicine. He saw what others had not yet recognized: that children and adolescents are not simply small adults and require specialized care for sports injuries.
A pioneer in dance medicine, he was the Boston Ballet Company’s physician for nearly 50 years. As finish line director for the Boston Marathon, he played an essential role in the trauma response following the 2013 marathon bombing. Dr. Micheli was also an athlete: he played rugby for decades and was inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame.
Dr. Micheli’s legacy will endure in every young athlete who receives specialized, compassionate care, in every physician trained in pediatric sports medicine, and in The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, which continues his life's work. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and the countless lives he touched throughout his remarkable career. The family indicates that a public service will follow in 2026. In lieu of flowers, they invite donations to The Micheli Center.
