September 21, 2023

Celebrating the Life of COL(R) Anthony Johnson, MD- An Amazing Man, A Remarkable Journey (1965-2022)

1 hour 2 minutes

Join us as we celebrate and remember the amazing journey and life of Dr. Anthony Johnson, cornea specialist, researcher, leader, and teacher, and be prepared to be inspired through his own words recorded shortly before he passed after a courageous 20-month struggle with stage 4 gastric cancer. His story of resilience, ingenuity, and dedication begins with his childhood passion for medicine, maturing at West Point and at USUHS and leading to his innovative work in ophthalmology and impacting the lives of many in his sphere of influence.

Learn about the experiences that shaped Dr. Johnson's life, from the challenges and bonds he formed during his time at West Point to his innovative suturing techniques inspired by seasoned ophthalmologic mentors. The stories from his military deployment to Iraq are a testament to his ability to handle chaos and adversity - improvising with limited resources, conducting life-saving surgeries, and making an impact even in the most challenging of circumstances. The poignant reunion years later with patients he treated after the United Nations building bombing in Iraq adds an emotional depth to the amazing care he provided throughout his career.

In the final segment of our conversation, we explore Dr. Johnson's reflections on life and his career, his travels to the World Cornea Congress, and his instrumental role in updating equipment for deployable ophthalmology teams. Listen as he opens up about his time in the Army, his commitment to his faith and family, his zest for life, and his unwavering passion for his work. Don't miss this fascinating memorial to the life and career of a physician who dedicated his life to making a difference.

Chapters:

(0:00:00) - Becoming a Physician and Ophthalmologist

(0:07:43) - Suturing Techniques and Military Deployment Experience

(0:15:57) - Chaotic Deployment to Theater

(0:20:59) - Medical Mission in a War Zone

(0:32:59) - Medical Response to UN Building Bombing and Reunion with Patients Years Later

(0:44:15) - Career and Personal Reflections

(0:58:01) - Reflections on a Fulfilling Life

Take Home Messages:

A career in medicine can start from a young age, even if it seems impossible due to circumstances such as attending a military academy where only 2% go to medical school.

Camaraderie, shared experiences, and common values among classmates can create a lifelong fraternity that transcends professional boundaries.

The journey to becoming a specialized doctor, such as an ophthalmologist, can be full of twists and turns, including unexpected influences and opportunities.

War zones can present unique challenges for medical professionals, requiring ingenuity and resilience to provide care with limited resources.

Experiences from military deployments, such as treating victims of bombings, can be emotionally impactful and shape one's approach to medicine.

Reunions with former patients can provide meaningful moments of connection and demonstrate the lasting impact of medical care.

Sharing professional experiences through speaking engagements or teaching roles can contribute to the growth and development of the wider medical community.

Reflection on career milestones and personal experiences can provide insights and learnings for future endeavors in the medical field.

Facing and overcoming challenges in the medical field, such as handling multiple surgeries in a war zone, can lead to developing specialized skills and knowledge.

Pursuing a passion for healing can lead to a fulfilling career that not only impacts individual patients, but also contributes to the broader medical community and society as a whole.

Episode Keywords:

Cornea Specialist, Brooke Army Medical Center, Resilience, Ingenuity, Dedication, West Point Military Academy, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Military Deployment, Iraq, UN Building Bombing, Reunion, Reflections, World Cornea Congress, Ophthalmology Teams, Teaching Faculty, Suturing Techniques, Life Lessons, Improvising, Life-Saving Surgeries, Zest for Life, Passion for Work

Hashtags:

#wardocs #military #medicine #podcast #MilMed #MedEd #MedicineJourney #USMA #USUHS #DrAnthonyJohnson #WestPointGrad #OphthalmologyInnovator #ResilienceInMedicine #WarZoneMedicine #InspiringDoctors #MedicalInnovation #CorneaSpecialist #IraqDeployment

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By Doug Soderdahl, Wayne Causey, Kevin Kniery

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