Board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Gates has a particular interest in late effects and outcomes of long-term survivors of childhood malignancies, specifically, information seeking behaviors of survivors and how patients access care, find health information and assimilate that information into healthy practices. His research and projects have included: a review and evaluation of internet resources for survivors of childhood cancer; vocational and employment experiences of long-term survivors of childhood cancer – past and present goals and barriers and how cancer experience has influenced the process; and a sickle cell emergency alert card, a wallet size patient care summary that includes emergency care parameters and contact information.

Dr. Gates volunteered as a camp counselor at summer camps for children with cancer and hematological disorders. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Dr. Gates played the trombone for the Rutgers Concert Band. He is fluent in medical and conversational Spanish. 

Dr. John VanAtta Gates earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey. He completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at Children’s Medical Center-Atlantic Health System in Morristown, New Jersey. Dr. Gates is fellowship trained in pediatric hematology/oncology by the Texas Children’s Cancer Center-Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He also completed a research fellowship at The Center for Collaborative and Interactive Technologies at Baylor College.