He graduated from Georgetown University, Washington, DC in 1967, and completed a residency in surgery at Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY (1972–1973) as well as a clinical fellowship in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, (1973–1975). Dr. Daly also served as Lieutenant Colonel, officer-in-charge, division of general surgery, in the U.S. Army Reserve (1975–1977). In addition to his academic career, Dr. Daly was a member of the surgical staff at several medical centers including UPMC St. Margaret and UPMC South Side Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. He has also authored many medical articles for publications like the American Journal of Surgery and the New York State Journal of Medicine.