The Cincinnati Reds honored UC Health trauma surgeon and U.S. Army Reserve Colonel Jay Johannigman, M.D. as the Cincinnati Bell Hometown Hero during the 2018 Opening Day game on Friday, March 30.
Johannigman was introduced before the second inning at Great American Ball Park, standing atop the Reds’ dugout while fans applauded. He attended the game with his son, Evan, a University of Cincinnati student, and the two watched from the Owners’ Suite.
“Dr. Johannigman’s devotion to his country, fellow soldiers, patients and the City of Cincinnati is extremely impressive,” said Phil Castellini, chief operating officer of the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds select a past or current member of the U.S. Armed Forces as the Hometown Hero for every home game. Johannigman’s military career includes service as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and previous service in the U.S. Air Force.
He is the director of the UC Institute for Military Medicine, professor of surgery at the UC College of Medicine, and a longtime member of the Trauma, Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care service at UC Health. He also serves as medical director for the Sycamore Township Fire Department and is a member of the City of Cincinnati Fire Foundation.
Johannigman helped establish Cincinnati C-STARS, the Center for the Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills, which trains Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Teams to treat wounded service members during medical evacuations from combat zones.
In remarks at the ballpark, Johannigman said it was an honor to be recognized by the city where he grew up watching Reds games at Crosley Field, Riverfront Stadium and now Great American Ball Park.
