Ernest Johnson

Ernest W. Johnson, MD (1924 – 2014) devoted his life to the care of patients suffering from spinal cord injury, Parkinson's, brain injury, stroke, amputation, polio and post-polio. He was instrumental in building Dodd Hall at The Ohio State University into the nationally recognized medical facility that it is today. Spanning 57 years, lasting until his retirement in 2012, his tenure is considered the longest in the history of Ohio State.

Johnson is acknowledged internationally as a preeminent physician within the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Johnson served 40 years as the editor for The Ohio State University Medical Journal, authored and co-authored over 150 published articles and wrote the beloved "Ernie's Editorials." His medical advice was sought by U.S. Presidents, world leaders, legendary Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes and tens of thousands of everyday people, all of whom he treated with the same respect and compassion.

Serving as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) chairman at Ohio State for 37 years, Johnson is credited as co-founder of the Creative Living apartment complex, designed to allow disabled adults in need of assistance to live independently. When it opened in 1974, Creative Living was the first complex of its kind in the nation. Additionally, Johnson was the world's foremost authority on the use of electromyography (EMG), a diagnostic tool used for diagnoses of nerve and muscle conditions.

Johnson was born in New Jersey to parents Ernest and Harriet (Burgess) Johnson, and moved to Akron, Ohio, where he spent his youth. After graduating from Akron Central High in 1941, Johnson was the first draftee selected by the northern Ohio draft board and went on to serve his country as an Army captain in the south Pacific, returning home to Ohio after the end of World War II.

Enrolling at Ohio State in 1946, Johnson began what became one of the university's most valuable and enduring relationships first as a student, then as a faculty member. After attaining his medical license, Johnson was awarded a fellowship from the National Polio Foundation in 1954. In 1957, he began working on what was then the world's first medical school program devoted to the study of physical medicine and rehabilitation: PM&R.

Above all else, Johnson considered himself a teacher. He instructed over 300 Physical Medicine residents, instilling in them his patient-first philosophy. To honor him, residency program graduates established the Dr. Ernest W. Johnson Chair in the department of PM&R.

Further Reading:

Johnson devoted to rehabilitation for more than a half-century MHC blog from University Libraries
Columbus Dispatch Article reporting Johnson's death and reflecting on his life
Ernest 'Ernie' Johnson, M.D. - 2013 Frank Krusen Lectureship YouTube video

Images of Johnson:

Image