Rate My Professor Jonathan Swanson

Jonathan Swanson, MD, MSc, MBA, serves as the Charles I. Fuller Jr. Professor of Neonatology, Director of the Division of Neonatology, and Chief Quality Officer for Children’s Services in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He earned his MD from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, completed pediatric residency and neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship at the University of Virginia Medical Center, acquired a master’s degree in healthcare quality and safety in 2013, and obtained an MBA in 2023. Following fellowship, Swanson practiced neonatology in northern New Jersey before rejoining the University of Virginia faculty in 2011, where he has advanced through progressive leadership roles in the Division of Neonatology.

Swanson’s clinical and research interests focus on necrotizing enterocolitis and acquired intestinal diseases, quality improvement methods in the neonatal intensive care unit, and neonatal acute kidney injury. He has contributed significantly to the field through key publications, including "Incidence and outcomes of neonatal acute kidney injury (AWAKEN): a multicentre, multinational, observational cohort study" in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (2017, 763 citations), "Recognition and reporting of AKI in very low birth weight infants" in Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2014, 282 citations), "Emerging trends in acquired neonatal intestinal disease: is it time to abandon Bell's criteria?" in Journal of Perinatology (2007, 275 citations), and "Nephrotoxic medication exposure in very low birth weight infants" in The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine (2014, 177 citations). His work has influenced neonatal care protocols and outcomes research. Swanson has been honored with multiple Best Bedside Manner Awards from OurHealth Charlottesville and Shenandoah Valley Magazine (first place 2015, second place 2018, third place 2019) and inclusion in Best Doctors in America from 2015 to 2020. Under his direction, the 60-bed Level IV NICU at UVA Children’s Hospital maintains top rankings in U.S. News & World Report for neonatology.