Dr. Ernest W. Johnson, MD (January 12, 1924 – November 18, 2014) was born in New Jersey to parents Ernest and Harriet (Burgess) Johnson, who soon moved to Akron, Ohio, where he spent his youth.
Preceding him in death are Joanne, his wife of 62 years, his daughter Jill, and son Walter. Left to mourn his passing are his daughter Amy Scott of Pataskala, Ohio and wife, Susie Cull. Known to all as 'Ernie,' he was a longtime resident of Upper Arlington and devoted member of Riverside United Methodist Church.
After graduating from Akron Central High in 1941, Johnson earned distinction as 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 upon war's end. Enrolling at The Ohio State University 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. Spanning 57 years, lasting until his retirement (his last of many), in 2012, his tenure is considered the longest in the history of The Ohio State University.
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 and R.
Johnson 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 into the nationally recognized medical facility that it is today. Serving as PM and R Chairman for 37 years beginning in 1963, 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 he was the world's foremost authority on the use of electromyography (EMG), a diagnostic tool used in diagnosis of nerve and muscle conditions. Author/co-author of over 150 published articles, 40-year editor of the OSU medical journal and writer of the much beloved "Ernie's Editorials", Johnson is acknowledged internationally as a preeminent physician within the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. His illustrious career includes a list of awards, accomplishments, titles and distinctions too numerous to list. Though well-deserved, he placed little importance on such accolades. His medical advice was sought by US presidents, world leaders, Coach Hayes, and tens of thousands of everyday people, all of whom he treated with the same respect and compassion.
Above all else, Johnson considered himself a teacher. He instructed over 300 Physical Medicine residents, instilling in them his "patient-first" philosophy. To his residents he was the "Chief Wheelie" (see YouTube video "How to do a Wheelchair Wheelie"). To honor him, graduates of the residency program established the Dr. Ernest W. Johnson chair, in the department of PM and R.
Johnson was an avid tennis player.
The Ernest W. Johnson, MD Papers (57 linear feet) contains material related to Johnson and his career.
These related collections are part of the Medical Heritage Center’s holdings:
This collection is arranged in eight series:
Series I: Associations (4 boxes) contains information related to organizations, associations and groups Johnson was a member of or had a role in. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Series II: Correspondence (9 boxes) contains correspondence send by or sent to Johnson. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Series III: Media (7 boxes) contains photographs, negatives, slides, VHS tapes, photo CDs, and scrapbooks. This series is arranged by type of media.
Series IV: Personal (4 boxes) contains information related to Johnson’s personal life. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Series V: Professional (6 boxes) contains information related to Johnson’s career. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Series VI: Publications (2 boxes) contains writings authored by Johnson. This series is arranged alphabetically.
Series VII: Oversized (16 boxes) contains awards, plaques, and other odd-sized items. This series is arranged by item.
Series VIII: Digital Materials (11 Power Point files and 1 TIF file) contains presentations and digital media. This series is arranged by item.
The collection is open to the public and is available for viewing in the Medical Heritage Center. Digital materials that are part of this collection are not available online. Physical materials do not circulate and must be used in the supervised reading room.
Restrictions, including copyright, may exist and some materials may be too fragile to photocopy or digitize. The MHC charges for duplication services, which must be performed by staff.
[Identification of item], Ernest W. Johnson, MD Papers, SPEC.201625.JOHNSON, Medical Heritage Center, Health Sciences Library, The Ohio State University.