John Sullivan, MD, PhD

A physician, neuroscientist, and associate professor.

About

John Sullivan is a physician, neuroscientist, and associate professor who serves as chair of basic sciences and research for Touro University's physician assistant programs. With a background in neurology and neuroscience, his work focuses on learning science, clinical reasoning, and the integration of artificial intelligence into health professions education.

He develops innovative educational approaches and AI-powered learning tools designed to strengthen critical thinking, promote independent learning, and prepare future clinicians for an increasingly technology-driven health care environment. He is also a published commentator on the implications of artificial intelligence for education, medicine, and human cognition, with work appearing in the Los Angeles Times.

Latest articles

Medical education

The real test of an AI tutor is what learners do without it

John Sullivan, MD, PhD

October 17, 2026Oct 17, 2026

Dr. Fady Hannah-Shmouni's recent KevinMD essay, "Continuing medical education needs a tutor, not a lecture," makes a case I share without reservation. Slide decks and ten-question quizzes survive because they are easy to accredit, not because they necessarily produce durable…

Dr. Fady Hannah-Shmouni’s recent KevinMD essay, “Continuing medical education needs a tutor, not a lecture,” makes a case I share without reservation. Slide decks and ten-question quizzes survive because they are easy to accredit, not because they necessarily produce durable learning. An AI tutor that presents a case, waits for the clinician’s answer, and probes the reasoning behind it is far closer to how expertise actually develops.

His guardrails are …