2017 Tillman Scholar
Inspired by his family’s military legacy, particularly his grandfather’s service during World War II and his father’s service in Vietnam, Johnnie joined the military. He first served as a helicopter crew chief in the Oklahoma National Guard, then as a U.S. Navy Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman. Through these experiences, he came to appreciate what it means to be part of team, dedicated to a purpose much large than one’s self. As a Corpsman, he found his passion in medicine. His experiences providing medical care for Marines, Sailors, and locals during deployments made him realize the need for more primary care providers. Johnnie believed that he could make the greatest impact in primary care as Physician Assistant (PA). After leaving the Navy, he set his sights on becoming a PA, while continuing to serve his country as a disaster response epidemiologist and medic at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Johnnie now works as a pediatric emergency medicine PA at The Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma and as a part-time emergency medicine PA at the OU Level 1 Adult Hospital. His academic background includes a Master of Health Science and a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, along with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Oklahoma.
Outside of his medical career, Johnnie is dedicated to veteran-related issues and works to improve the well-being of veterans and their families. He is also the author of Tales from the Green Side, a collection of “sea” stories that find the humor of serving in uniform.