Allison Thompson-Brown, MD, FAAP, has built a respected in medicine, driven by a commitment to advancing global health through innovative vaccine development. As senior medical director and global clinical pneumococcal program lead at Pfizer, she plays an essential role in shaping the direction of clinical vaccine research. Her work focuses on developing comprehensive strategies that guide clinical trials for both adult and pediatric populations, with a strong emphasis on maintaining regulatory compliance, ensuring patient safety and achieving scientific excellence. Her leadership extends across international teams of physicians, scientists and other professionals who work collaboratively to bring life-saving vaccines from early concept to licensure and global distribution.
Building a strong educational foundation, Dr. Thompson-Brown earned her Doctor of Medicine from Tufts University School of Medicine after completing a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and pre-medicine at Williams College. She completed her pediatric residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and has maintained board certification in pediatrics through The American Board of Pediatrics. Her academic training provided a solid framework for her career, combining the rigors of medical education with the human-focused insights of psychology.
Dr. Thompson-Brown began her medical career practicing community-based pediatric medicine. She was a pediatrician with the North Bronx Healthcare Network, including Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital. In addition to her clinical duties, she held a faculty role as assistant clinical professor of pediatric medicine and attending physician. Her early career also included work as medical director at East Tremont Medical Center, integrating clinical leadership with direct patient care.
Dr. Thompson-Brown’s transition into the pharmaceutical industry started at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, where she was a clinician MD and medical monitor. She later held roles of increasing responsibility, including associate medical director and clinical lead for the pediatric clinical core pneumococcal program at Pfizer. In these capacities, she ensured clinical trials were designed and conducted with scientific rigor, patient safety and data integrity in mind.
As a senior leader in the global pneumococcal program, Dr. Thompson-Brown provides high-level guidance to cross-functional teams that include physicians, scientists and regulatory professionals. Her role requires not only deep clinical expertise but also a strategic mindset to anticipate regulatory challenges and evolving public health needs. She helps to shape clinical programs from early-stage development through licensure, impacting vaccine availability on a global scale.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. Thompson-Brown is committed to civic engagement and community service. She volunteers with local schools as a classroom reader and participates in initiatives that benefit children and families. Her support for organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, toy drives and local churches reflects her desire to contribute meaningfully beyond the workplace.
Dr. Thompson-Brown has received recognition for her contributions to vaccine development, including internal awards from Pfizer for work on the Prevnar vaccine and for advancing key proof-of-concept milestones. She views mentorship as one of her most rewarding responsibilities, taking pride in helping colleagues grow in their careers and confidence. Looking ahead, she plans to further develop her leadership within the pharmaceutical industry, deepen her expertise across therapeutic areas and continue to support the next generation of medical professionals through mentorship and guidance.