Dr. Jay Johannigman is a trauma and critical care expert in Cincinnati, Ohio. With a career spanning 40 years between military and civilian healthcare, Dr. Johannigman has earned recognition for his expertise in adapting battlefield medical innovations to benefit civilian trauma care. His medical education began at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and continued with rigorous training in general surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Certified by the American Board of Surgery and specializing in trauma and critical care, Dr. Johannigman has dedicated his life to advancing healthcare practices that save lives in the most critical moments. In this interview with Business Insiders, he shares insights on leadership, industry trends, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
What’s your approach to leadership, and how has it evolved over time?
Leading a trauma care team is about creating a supportive environment where everyone can handle high-pressure situations. I work to build a culture where all team members, whether experienced surgeons or new nurses, feel confident sharing their ideas. The best teams are those where people feel valued, respected, and motivated to take action.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career, and what did you learn from them?
Several people influenced in my career. Dr. Frank Kretzer, a trailblazer in trauma surgery. He was not only smart but deeply committed to his patients.
Dr. Donald Trunkey was one of my most influential mentors. A trailblazer in trauma care, he firmly believed that trauma medicine had room for major improvements. He taught me that being a great doctor requires skill and a strong drive to push limits.
Then there’s Colonel Charles “Doc” McKinney, a legend in military medicine. Known for his expertise and calmness under pressure, he taught me the importance of steady leadership, even in the middle of chaos.
Lieutenant General Patricia Horoho, the first woman and nurse to become the Army’s Surgeon General, showed a commitment and strength that inspired me deeply.
Dr. Barbara Gaines, a trauma leader at the University of Pittsburgh, showed me how blending research with patient care can create a real impact.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career, and how did it pay off?
The biggest risk I took was shifting from a civilian job to working with the military, where I served on multiple combat deployments. There, I used trauma care techniques that were often new and unproven in intense situations. This choice was challenging, but it also brought some of the most rewarding moments in my career. I gained a strong understanding of trauma care under extreme conditions, which I now apply in civilian settings back in Cincinnati. This experience has had a lasting impact on how trauma care is handled outside of the military.
What trends do you see shaping the future of your industry, and how are you preparing for them?
A big trend in medicine today is the move toward precision medicine, which means creating treatments that fit each patient’s unique needs. Trauma care has always needed quick action, but with better diagnostic tools, we’ll soon be able to understand patients in ways we never imagined. I’m also keeping an eye on how artificial intelligence is being used in emergency care and surgery. Staying prepared for these changes means actively researching and working with tech experts to bring these advances into hospitals and clinics.
What failure taught you the most, and how did you bounce back from it?
I owe much of my professional growth to Dr. Donald Trunkey, a trailblazer in trauma care who shaped my medical skills and my outlook on what it means to be a physician. Dr. Trunkey taught me the importance of pushing the boundaries in trauma medicine and inspired a deep sense of responsibility in me to continually improve our field. Working together on our publication in the New England Journal of Medicine about military-civilian collaboration in trauma care reinforced how essential it is to blend military and civilian expertise to advance medical practices. Dr. Trunkey encouraged me to think boldly and relentlessly to pursue better care, which has impacted how I lead and innovate in healthcare.
What habits or routines do you follow that contribute to your success?
I value consistency for myself and my team. I start my day early, using quiet mornings to go over cases and research. I also believe in regular exercise—it helps me handle the physical and mental demands of trauma care. In the evenings, I meet with my team to reflect on the day, discussing what went well and what we can improve. These routines help me stay grounded and balanced.
What’s next for you? Any exciting projects or goals on the horizon that you can share?
I’m thrilled to be returning to Cincinnati, a city close to my heart, to wrap up my career. It’s meaningful to give back to a place that’s played such a big role in my life. I’m proud that my family’s tradition of service continues, with my son representing the fourth generation of Johannigmans to serve, reflecting values of dedication and resilience.
I’m also exploring new opportunities, like hosting and appearing on podcasts, where I’m excited to discuss healthcare issues, especially in trauma and critical care. I believe these conversations can spark new ideas and bring attention to important challenges, fostering innovation and collaboration.
In Denver, I’m leading a project to improve access to whole blood for emergencies in mountain areas. This builds on a program I helped create in San Antonio, which developed a highly effective system for delivering blood quickly to trauma patients. By expanding this effort, my goal is to make life-saving blood available even in remote locations, where quick response can significantly boost survival rates. This initiative is both rewarding and essential, and I’m eager to see its positive impact.
Key Takeaways
Dr. Jay Johannigman’s career in trauma care shows the importance of resilience, teamwork, and visionary leadership. Over time, he has shifted from focusing purely on technical skills to building a supportive, collaborative team environment. Dr. Johannigman values humility and lifelong learning. His decision to introduce military trauma techniques into civilian hospitals significantly improved trauma care in Cincinnati.
