David W. Johnson is a distinguished medical researcher and clinician-scientist renowned for his contributions to pediatric medicine and evidence-based clinical practice. He currently serves as Professor in both the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine, where he has established himself as a leading authority in pediatric respiratory medicine. His academic journey has been marked by significant contributions to child health research, with his work spanning clinical trials, evidence synthesis, and knowledge translation initiatives. As a Child Health & Wellness Researcher at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Dr. Johnson has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing clinical practice changes that have improved pediatric care across multiple institutions.
Dr. Johnson's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed the management of common pediatric respiratory conditions through rigorous clinical trials and systematic evidence evaluation. His landmark studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine have established the evidence base for corticosteroid treatment in croup and bronchiolitis, changing clinical practice worldwide and improving outcomes for millions of children. As a principal investigator in numerous large multi-centre randomized controlled trials, he has demonstrated exceptional methodological rigor while addressing clinically relevant questions that directly impact patient care. His work extends beyond respiratory illnesses to include significant contributions to the management of common poisonings and emergency pediatric conditions, with his research on acetaminophen and salicylate toxicity informing current clinical guidelines and treatment protocols.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Johnson has been instrumental in advancing the science of knowledge translation within pediatric medicine, leading Canada-wide initiatives to implement evidence-based practices in clinical settings. As the Lead of the Calgary node of KT Canada, he has fostered collaborations between clinicians and research methodologists to develop innovative strategies for bridging the gap between research evidence and clinical practice. His leadership in developing and evaluating clinical pathways in Alberta has served as a model for healthcare systems seeking to improve the quality and consistency of pediatric care. Currently focused on optimizing implementation strategies for clinical guidelines, Dr. Johnson continues to shape the future of evidence-based pediatric medicine through his ongoing research, mentorship of emerging scholars, and active participation in national and international efforts to improve child health outcomes through rigorous scientific inquiry.
