Dr. Jay Johannigman, a veteran combat and trauma surgeon, has spent over 40 years reshaping the intersection of military and civilian healthcare. From his early days as a USAF Reserves officer to his leadership in some of the nation’s most innovative trauma programs, Dr. Johannigman has dedicated his career to improving critical care in high-stakes environments. With plans to return to Cincinnati, where much of his groundbreaking work began, he continues to inspire new generations of healthcare professionals.
In this exclusive interview, Dr. Johannigman reflects on his journey, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.
What motivated you to join your company, and how did you choose your industry?
I was drawn to medicine from an early age because of its profound impact on people’s lives. My choice to specialize in trauma surgery came during medical school at Case Western Reserve University. Trauma care requires rapid decision-making and teamwork—skills I honed as a reserve officer in the U.S. Air Force.
When I transitioned into military medicine, I realized the immense opportunity to improve trauma care both on the battlefield and at home. This led me to Cincinnati, where I helped establish the Cincinnati Center for the Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (CSTARS). Programs like CSTARS are essential because they bridge military expertise with civilian healthcare systems, ensuring that advances made in combat zones benefit trauma patients everywhere.
My current work at Centura in Lakewood, Colorado, allows me to focus on integrating advanced military medical techniques into civilian hospitals. It’s rewarding to see how strategies like whole-blood resuscitation, which saved lives in war zones, now save lives in local trauma centers.
What were the biggest challenges you faced in the early stages of your career, and how did you overcome them?
Early in my career, I encountered the challenge of translating battlefield medical practices into civilian healthcare settings. Military trauma care is unique because it operates in environments with limited resources and high patient volumes. Convincing civilian hospitals to adopt these strategies required building trust and demonstrating results through data and research.
For example, when we first introduced whole blood transfusions, it was considered experimental in civilian trauma centers. To overcome skepticism, we conducted rigorous research and published peer-reviewed studies that showed significant survival benefits. Over time, these findings changed the standard of care in trauma resuscitation.
Another challenge was maintaining resilience during multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Combat medicine pushes you to your limits emotionally and physically. I coped by focusing on the positive impact of our work and relying on my colleagues for support. In many ways, those experiences strengthened my ability to handle pressure and prioritize patient outcomes.
What was your approach to building a customer base when you first started?
In healthcare, especially trauma surgery, the “customer base” is both patients and the broader healthcare system. My approach has always been to prioritize trust and collaboration. For instance, when we launched CSTARS in 2001, we worked closely with civilian hospitals in Cincinnati to align our objectives. We gained widespread support from local healthcare leaders by demonstrating how military-civilian partnerships could improve readiness and outcomes.
Another key aspect of building credibility was my commitment to education and mentorship. Training younger surgeons and emergency care providers has always been a passion of mine. By sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for others, I’ve been able to strengthen the networks that support trauma care.
Collaboration is also critical on a global scale. I worked alongside NATO allies and local medical teams during my deployments to develop unified protocols. These relationships have had a lasting impact, as they’ve fostered cross-cultural learning and innovation.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting out in your industry, what would it be?
Never stop learning. The field of trauma care is constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date on research and emerging technologies is essential. Read extensively, attend conferences, and seek out mentors who challenge you to think critically.
Equally important is the ability to adapt. In trauma surgery, no two cases are alike. Flexibility and creativity are crucial whether you’re working in a modern hospital or a remote combat zone. Be open to unconventional solutions, and don’t be afraid to learn from failures.
I value teamwork. Medicine is not a solo endeavor—it’s a collaborative effort. Build strong relationships with your colleagues, and treat every member of your team with respect. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned have come from nurses, medics, and junior residents who approached problems from a different perspective.
Looking Ahead
As Dr. Johannigman prepares to return to Cincinnati, his focus remains on advancing trauma care and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. With nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications and a career that spans military and civilian medicine, his contributions have left a lasting legacy.
“Medicine is about service,” he says. “Whether you’re treating a soldier on the battlefield or a patient in the emergency room, the goal is to save lives and provide hope.”
Dr. Johannigman’s dedication to this mission continues to inspire, proving that the lessons learned in one arena can profoundly impact another. For him, the journey is far from over. “There’s always more to learn, more to teach, and more ways to make a difference.”