Dr. Jay Johannigman is back home in the Queen City, and his sole purpose is making sure that Greater Cincinnati is prepared for anything that happens.
A retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel and internationally recognized trauma surgeon, Johannigman returned to the area in July 2025 to help prepare the local medical community for emergencies. By November 2025, he had completed 46 years of service with the U.S. military and officially retired.
Nine months after returning to the area, and nearly five months into being a full civilian again, Johannigman continues to use the battle-tested skills he developed during his military career for the benefit of the local community that helped shape his career.
Johannigman does not waste time. He works directly with regional hospitals, emergency medical services (EMS), and public safety agencies to create more organized and efficient emergency responses that save lives when disaster strikes.
"I'm excited to return to Cincinnati, a city that has become like my second family over my entire career," he said. "It's exciting to give back to a community that has given so much support to me during my professional career."
That connection began in 2001, when he joined the faculty at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. At the time, he served as director of trauma, surgical critical care, and acute care surgery at University Hospital, now part of UC Health, and played a key role in establishing the Cincinnati Center for the Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) in 2001.
C-STARS was one of the first national military-civilian trauma training partnerships. Today, it continues to train military physicians, nurses, and medics alongside civilian teams, helping convert battlefield practices into everyday techniques used by first responders and surgeons throughout Greater Cincinnati.
Johannigman developed these techniques during eight combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He performed surgeries at forward facilities, including Craig Joint Theater Hospital in Bagram. He also helped develop the Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) model, which provides intensive care during air transport out of combat zones.
Under the systems he helped develop, survival rates for critically injured patients reached a worldwide standard of 99 percent, setting a new benchmark for military medicine.
In addition, Johannigman authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, received the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal, along with numerous Meritorious Service Medals, and advised the U.S. Department of Defense on trauma and critical care policy.
Throughout his career, Johannigman has viewed military medicine and civilian medicine as part of the same mission.
"This is where I learned to bridge those two worlds," he said, referring to Cincinnati.
Today, he continues to strengthen that connection. He leads joint training exercises between UC Health’s trauma team and firefighters, paramedics, and emergency management officials. He also advocates for standardized protocols for massive hemorrhage control, rapid blood transfusions, and mass casualty triage.
Johannigman also focuses on the potential of a geriatric injury program. The education aims to prevent injuries and improve treatment options related to falls among senior citizens, who represent a significant portion of trauma cases in the region. The program introduces preventive measures, improves treatment approaches, and reduces complications associated with falls in older adults.
Beyond that, he mentors surgeons through the American College of Surgeons and advises hospitals on preparedness plans for earthquakes, tornadoes, active shooter scenarios, and large-scale accidents.
His message remains clear. The best time to strengthen a trauma response system is before a disaster occurs.
Local leaders value Johannigman’s direct approach. UC Health’s Level I Trauma Center, the only one in the region, has already benefited from the military-civilian collaboration he helped establish through C-STARS. His continued presence strengthens efforts to close preparedness gaps.
Hospital simulations are becoming more realistic. EMS teams are improving transitions between providers. Public safety agencies are testing communication systems under pressure. Each exercise builds the coordination needed to turn chaos into an effective response.
Johannigman’s influence extends beyond the hospital. He speaks at local events, educating residents on practical steps they can take to prepare for emergencies, including knowing evacuation routes, supporting blood donation efforts, and understanding how trauma centers operate.
"Preparing for emergencies is not about fear," he said. "It is about giving people the best possible chance of success on what could be their worst day."
With 46 years of service behind him, Johannigman now walks the same hospital halls where his career began. While technology and personnel have evolved, the mission remains the same.
He continues to teach students, review procedures, and advocate for better outcomes. The lessons he brought home from the battlefield now serve the community that helped shape him.
Across Greater Cincinnati, the impact is clear. Faster emergency response times after crashes on I-75. Stronger coordination during severe weather events. More reliable systems in critical moments. Improved outcomes for older adults facing fall-related injuries.
Johannigman’s career shows how experience gained in war can be used to build safety at home.
As he continues his work, his focus remains on the future. He builds partnerships, leads training exercises, and prepares the next generation of responders. His presence serves as a reminder that true preparedness never stops. It simply comes home.
