John Gaitanis, M.D.
John Gaitanis, M.D., became Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development on August 23, 2026. Previously, Dr. Gaitanis served as Chief of Child Neurology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, and Director of Child Neurology at Brown Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Gaitanis has advanced research and clinical care for individuals with complex neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, expanded access to specialized services, and trained physicians to deliver comprehensive, individualized care. His work has also advanced clinician education and evidence-informed approaches that support the health, communication needs, autonomy, and dignity of nonspeaking individuals with autism.
Dr. Gaitanis received his M.D. from Brown Medical School and completed his pediatrics residency at the University of Rochester. He subsequently completed his neurology training at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, where he served as chief resident, followed by fellowship training in epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Gaitanis previously served on the board of the Epilepsy Foundation of New England and currently serves on the board of the Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs (MAPS), a national leader in translating emerging science into clinical care for children with severe, chronic, and complex medical conditions. MAPS is home to the only U.S. fellowship program of its kind, providing physicians with advanced training in the application of translational medicine across this highly complex and historically underserved pediatric population. In recognition of his leadership and contributions to the field, Dr. Gaitanis received the MAPS Trailblazer Award in 2025.
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