Jared Bullard, MD, FRCPC

Pediatric infectious diseases pose significant public health challenges, from SARS-CoV-2 and congenital syphilis to the prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBIs). Dr. Jared Bullard’s research plays a critical role in shaping global health policies and improving clinical management of these conditions.

Bullard’s work on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity has directly influenced COVID-19 isolation procedures, particularly in pediatric populations. His findings—used as evidence by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and U.K. public health agencies—have helped define policies based on viral infectivity in diagnostic samples.

Beyond COVID-19, Bullard has advanced syphilis diagnostics and played a key role in shaping national strategies for congenital syphilis management. His research has influenced screening and treatment approaches, particularly for newborns, contributing to improved outcomes in vulnerable populations.

As a principal investigator for the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program for congenital syphilis, Bullard is also a co-investigator on national studies related to pediatric infectious diseases. These include CANCOVID-Preg, which assesses COVID-19 immunity in pregnant individuals, and a collaborative study on SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized children across Canada.

Affiliated with the Centre on Aging, the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, the Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research, and the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Evidence Alliance, Bullard’s research continues to inform clinical guidelines and improve infectious disease management in pediatric populations.

Research themes

• Congenital syphilis
• HIV and STBBI perinatal transmission prevention
• Pediatric COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2 infectivity
• SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing
• Syphilis diagnostics

Jared Bullard is a professor of pediatrics and child health at the University of Manitoba and associate medical director of Cadham Provincial Laboratory. He is section head and consultant for pediatric infectious diseases at Winnipeg Children’s Hospital and serves as a liaison to the Manitoba HIV program for both pediatrics and laboratory medicine. His professional interests include pediatric HIV, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) prevention of mother-to-child transmission, STBBI testing and provincial patterns of use, advanced diagnostics in the immunocompromised host and medical education.

Born in Nassau, Bahamas, Bullard moved to Winnipeg with his family as a child. He earned a bachelor of science in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Winnipeg and later completed a bachelor of science in medicine in HIV immunology while in medical school at the University of Manitoba. After receiving his medical degree, he remained in Manitoba to complete specialties in pediatrics, infectious diseases and medical microbiology. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in pediatrics.

Since 2020, Bullard has played a key role in Manitoba’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His research on SARS-CoV-2 infectivity has helped shape global public health guidelines, including those of the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.K. public health agencies. He has led research on pediatric COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing and the health impact of the pandemic on children and families in Canada. His work with congenital syphilis diagnostics has helped shape national approaches to syphilis management.

He is a principal investigator for the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program for congenital syphilis and a co-investigator on national research studies related to pediatric infectious diseases, including the Canadian Population Serological Survey (CANCOVID-Preg). He is also affiliated with the Centre on Aging, the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, the Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research and the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Evidence Alliance.

Bullard’s contributions to research and medical education have earned him numerous awards. He received the Pediatric Chairs of Canada COVID Leadership Award in 2020 and has been nominated for multiple Manitoba Medical Student Association Teaching Awards. In 2016, he received the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Clinical Educator Award for excellence in teaching. He was also awarded funding through the Pediatrics Faculty Development Fund to attend the CMA Physician Leadership Course at the University of Manitoba.

Outside of medicine, Bullard enjoys spending time with his wife, Pamela Skrabek, and their two children, Taya and Donovan. He has a passion for travel and high-level sarcasm.

Education

• Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC) in Pediatrics, University of Manitoba, 2008
• Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of Manitoba, 2004
• Bachelor of Science in Medicine (BSc Med) in HIV Immunology, University of Manitoba, 2002

Awards

2020

• Pediatric Chairs of Canada 2020 COVID Leadership Award – Awarded to the Pediatric Incident Command Team

2019

• Manitoba Medical Student Association Teaching Awards 2017/18 – Nominee for the Class of 2021: Teaching in a Small Group Setting Award

2017

• Manitoba Medical Student Association Teaching Awards 2015/2016 – Nominee for the Class of 2017 (Med III): Attending – Mentorship and Class of 2018 (Med II): Best Teaching in Small Group Setting awards

2016

• Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Clinical Educator Award – Selected by residents in the Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology programs for excellence in teaching
• Pediatrics Faculty Development Fund – Awarded $500 for attending CMA Physician Leadership Course, University of Manitoba
• Manitoba Medical Student Association Teaching Awards 2014/2015 – Nominee for the Med II Pre-clerkship awards in both Innovation and Inspiration categories