Dr. Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH

Media Releases

Combining Clinical Excellence with Groundbreaking Research for a Healthier Future

Hartford, Connecticut – Connecticut Children’s Medical Center is proud to announce the continued leadership of Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP, who serves as the Executive Vice President and Physician-in-Chief, specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and immunology. Dr. Salazar’s dedication to advancing pediatric healthcare is exemplified through his innovative research and exceptional clinical care, making him a key figure in the fight against infectious diseases affecting children.

A graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, Dr. Salazar completed his residency in pediatrics at the University of Connecticut Health Center and a postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Minnesota, where he also earned his Master of Public Health Degree. He is board-certified in both pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases and holds the esteemed title of Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Salazar leads the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology at Connecticut Children’s, where he has garnered national and international recognition for his contributions to the field. His research focuses on understanding the human innate immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi and Treponema pallidum, the pathogens responsible for Lyme disease and syphilis. Notably, he is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a pioneering syphilis vaccine as part of a collaborative U-19 project involving researchers from China, Malawi, Colombia, and the United States.

In addition to his work on syphilis, Dr. Salazar’s research has expanded to include the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). His team has received funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to investigate this rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19, further showcasing his commitment to addressing urgent pediatric health issues.

Dr. Salazar also directs the Pediatric and Youth HIV program at Connecticut Children’s, where he has developed regional STD and HIV prevention initiatives for at-risk high school youth. His work under the Ryan White Care Act ensures that women, infants, children, and youth across the state receive essential HIV treatment and prevention services. His expertise includes conducting pediatric and adolescent HIV clinical trials, supported by both NIH and pharmaceutical sponsorships.

Alongside his clinical and research roles, Dr. Salazar serves as Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, further solidifying his impact on the next generation of healthcare professionals.

With an impressive portfolio of 120 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, Dr. Salazar is a recognized authority in his field. His expertise is further showcased through his involvement with multiple scientific review panels at the NIH, including his current role as a standing member of the esteemed Human Bacterial Host Interactions (BHI) study section at NIAID from 2022 to 2025. 

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