Dr. Chandy John: physician, scientist, poet, humanitarian

By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

Dr. Chandy John learned early on that a life of service was to be respected.

His parents, both doctors, exposed a young Chandy and his siblings to mission work at a hospital in India, where they traveled many times from their home in Michigan.

“My parents inspired me with the work they did for the underserved,” said the Detroit native, who followed in his parents’ footsteps to become a physician, as did both his siblings.

He came to Riley Children’s Health and the IU School of Medicine in 2015, where he serves as director of the Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health. His work is felt globally due to longstanding partnerships in Africa focused on the science and treatment of malaria, a particularly acute disease in young children.

His research has caught the attention of the National Academy of Medicine, which recently announced his election to the prestigious institution, considered one of the highest honors in the field of health and medicine.

Election to the academy recognizes those who have made distinguished contributions to science, medicine and public health.

“People have assessed that our work has made a difference for child health,” said Dr. John, who emphasized that the work is collaborative.

“Dr. John’s work bridges laboratory discovery, field epidemiology and patient care,” said Dr. Jay L. Hess, dean of the IU School of Medicine, in sharing the news. “This election honors not just his scientific achievements, but his leadership and global impact in child health.”

Dr. John, who joins Dr. D. Wade Clapp and Dr. Richard Miyamoto from the IU School of Medicine in the academy, acknowledges it is a “huge honor,” both “humbling and energizing,” but said it is shared by the people he collaborates with locally and internationally.

In addition, he said, it would not have been possible without the support of the School of Medicine, the Riley Children’s Foundation and IU Dance Marathon.

“Their support has been extraordinary,” he said. “They really care about the work we do and the global impact it has.”

The purpose of the National Academy of Medicine is to provide guidance on big issues in health and medicine to the public and to the government, he said. That work has included studies on such things as vaccines, climate change, diseases including malaria, even health payment systems in the U.S.

“What are the problems we may face in the future, and how do we start tackling them now? I’m excited to be part of that mission.”

The mission is complicated by the upheaval in federal health agencies of late, but no less important, Dr. John suggested.

“The FDA can ask the academy to look into health issues, and they can do what they want with the reports,” he said. “But it is high-quality information they can use to decide on policy.”

Organizations like the National Academy of Medicine, the College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics offer expert input that is evidence-based and data-driven, he explained.

“It’s more important than ever that we have this. There are a lot of people and groups that care about data because they know it’s not a political issue but that it’s good for their patients. I care about kids getting good care.”

As physicians, he said, “we answer to a higher calling, which is the people we take care of. We have a sacred responsibility to our patients.”

Dr. John, named an IU School of Medicine distinguished professor in 2024, is a proud alum of the University of Michigan, where he completed his undergrad degree as well as medical school and residency. He came to Riley and the IU School of Medicine nearly 11 years ago with his husband, Andy, a pianist and wine connoisseur.

“His support has been absolutely essential. We’ve been really happy here in Indy.”

The physician-scientist also leans into his creative side as a writer of essays, fiction and poetry.

“My first love was writing,” he said. “It keeps me engaged. I write whenever I can snatch a chance, and I do have some rare opportunities where I get away for a long weekend just to write. Those are the best. But often it’s moments on a plane or in an airport or hotel, sometimes even on a walk.”

Those moments of quiet not only inspire creativity, they reconnect him to the important work of caring for children here and around the globe.

From his book of poetry, “Something Small That Matters”:

To the emaciated boy with the skull fracture:
Your smile undid me
At once, I was not a doctor deducing
The cause of your fever
I was instead witness to a sweet, sad miracle
A boy whose defense was his wall of solitude
Letting joy peep out like a shy duckling
In the quiet moment when smile met smile

Photos submitted and by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org