John Brandsema, MD

John Brandsema, MD, is an associate professor of clinical neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He is also affiliated with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

He received his MD from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; completed his postgraduate medical education in pediatric neurology at the University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and completed a clinical fellowship in neuromuscular medicine at Harvard Medical School/Partners Neurology.

He has broad clinical and research interests in neuromuscular diseases, with a particular focus on clinical trials of novel therapies for childhood neuromuscular disorders. CHOP has long had a focus on spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) clinical and research innovation; they are part of the international SMA consortium (iSMAC), and Dr Brandsema is on the Cure SMA Medical Advisory Council.

Outside the hospital, he is a classically trained singer and musician, is a budding Philadelphia sports fan, and helps his partner breed champion Lakeland Terriers.