Dr. John Bradley stands as a distinguished figure in the field of pediatric infectious diseases. Serving as the Medical Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and a Distinguished Professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine, the highest academic honor, his career is marked by significant contributions to clinical care, research, and national health policy.
His leadership extends to critical roles within national and international organizations. Dr. Bradley chairs the Scientific Review Committee for I-ACT, a prominent pediatric clinical trials consortium. This body collaborates with academic centers, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the healthcare industry to spearhead research into innovative diagnostic tools, treatments, and vaccines for COVID-19. Furthermore, his expertise is recognized by the FDA, where he serves on their Advisors and Consultants Staff, contributing to crucial regulatory decisions.
Dr. Bradley’s commitment to Rady Children’s Hospital spans over three decades. He dedicatedly served as Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, both at Rady Children’s Hospital and within the Department of Pediatrics at UC San Diego. Currently, as Medical Director, he expertly balances clinical practice, cutting-edge clinical research, and impactful engagement in national policy development.
A cornerstone of Dr. Bradley’s work is his clinical research, which is passionately focused on the exploration of novel therapies for both bacterial and viral infections. He possesses a particular interest in devising effective strategies to combat the growing challenge of antibiotic-resistant infections. Currently, with funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, his research delves into optimizing antibiotic dosing for critically ill children within Rady Children’s Hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit. Looking to the future, he is actively involved in establishing a new national clinical trials consortium at the hospital, further solidifying its role in pediatric research advancement.
Dr. Bradley’s impactful career is punctuated by numerous notable achievements. He has served on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Anti-Infective Drug Advisory Committee, and continues his advisory role with the FDA. His influence extends to national preparedness, as demonstrated by his collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in leading the American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report on the bioterrorism threat posed by anthrax. Recognizing his expertise in child health within a broader national security context, he was selected for a federal advisory committee on national biosecurity, ensuring that the unique needs of children are considered in the formulation of national policies.
His contributions have shaped clinical practice guidelines. Dr. Bradley was the lead author of the first national guidelines for the treatment of pneumonia in children, a crucial resource for pediatricians nationwide. He is an active member of the CDC-led Influenza Guidelines Committee, and co-chairs the committee responsible for developing the new Pediatric Bone and Joint Infection Guidelines. Beyond guidelines, his expertise is disseminated through publications; he is the editor and co-author of “Nelson’s Pediatric Antimicrobial Therapy,” a highly regarded resource in the field of pediatric infectious disease management. Through his multifaceted roles, Dr. John Bradley continues to be a driving force in advancing pediatric infectious disease care, research, and policy.
