Calvin Johnson (anesthesiologist)

Calvin Johnson is an American anesthesiologist and professor of anesthesiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Born and raised in Egelston Township, Muskegon, Michigan, Johnson attended Oakridge High School, where he excelled in multiple sports and was a first-team Associated Press all-state basketball player. He went on to play point guard at Dartmouth College, earning Academic All-American honors and ranked second for assists in the Ivy League during his senior year.

After completing his undergraduate degree in biochemistry at Dartmouth in 1981, Johnson earned his medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in 1985. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in 1989. Following his residency, he became Chief of Obstetrical Anesthesia at Hutzel Hospital of Wayne State University in Detroit, a position he held for six years before being appointed Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at King/Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles in 1996. He served as Dean of the College of Medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science from 2001–2002.

Johnson has been a staff anesthesiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center since 2000 and has contributed significantly to the field through research and clinical studies. He has studied clinical competence training for anesthesiology residents, particularly in fiberoptic laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation, and he has published research on the effectiveness of epidural anesthesia in improving labor outcomes. Additionally, his investigations into embolic phenomena during total hip arthroplasty have informed best practices in surgical techniques. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson was a member of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center COVID-19 Airway Team and Invasive Line Placement ICU Team. He has advocated for COVID-19 vaccine education, especially within the Black community, emphasizing the importance of combating vaccine hesitancy through outreach and education.

Early life and education

Johnson was born and raised in Egelston Township, Muskegon, Michigan, on an 11-acre farm as one of seven children. He faced significant adversity when his father died in a factory accident when he was just five years old. He experienced racial prejudice as a child in Michigan.

High school

He attended Oakridge High School, where he played multiple sports, influenced by his coaches John Swinburne and Jack Schugars. He played on the varsity basketball team in 1975. He ran cross country at Oakridge, ran track and field, and played football his senior season at Oakridge. In 1977, he was a first-team Associated Press all-state basketball player and received honorable mention all-state accolades in football from the Detroit Free Press. He was named to the Western Michigan Conference All-Conference Basketball Team for two seasons from 1975 to 1977.

He was recruited by Michigan State Spartans men's basketball's coach Jud Heathcote as a point guard at the same time as Magic Johnson. Schugars ultimately connected Johnson with then Detroit Pistons Head Coach Herb Brown who encouraged him to attend Dartmouth College. In 2022, he was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Dartmouth College

Although he received athletic scholarship offers from other colleges, Johnson chose to attend Dartmouth College in 1977, where he played point guard for the basketball team. During his freshman year, he contributed minutes to Dartmouth Big Green men's basketball. Ahead of the 1980–1981, Johnson and Larry Lawrence (basketball) were named co-captains. He was voted the most valuable player in first Granite State Basketball Tournament.

He became Dartmouth's second-leading scorer and ranked second in the Ivy League for assists during his senior year. His impressive academic and athletic performance earned him Academic All-American honors. He graduated in 1981 with a degree in biochemistry. Following the 1980–1981 basketball season, he was awarded the Alvin F. "Doggie" Julian Award (For Spirit and Enthusiasm).

Medical career

After completing his undergraduate degree, Johnson earned his medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in 1985. After completing his medical education, he completed his residency in anesthesiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in 1989. Following his residency, he became Chief of Obstetrical Anesthesia at Hutzel Hospital of Wayne State University in Detroit, a position he held for six years.

In 1996, Johnson was appointed chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at King/Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles, a facility dedicated to serving underserved communities. He served as Dean of the College of Medicine from 2001 – 2002.

He has also been a staff anesthesiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center since 2000. He has written poetry from his experiences working in trauma and general anesthesia. His experiences of racism as a child motivated him to address stereotypes and inequality in medicine and actively promoting diversity and inclusion.

Research and clinical studies

While he was a Clinical Fellow in Anesthesia at Massachusetts General Hospital, he authored an article that examined the effectiveness of resident instruction in developing clinical competence for performing fiberoptic laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation, highlighting the importance of hands-on training and mentorship in improving residents' skills. The study findings suggest that structured educational programs can significantly enhance residents' confidence and proficiency in these critical airway management techniques. He has written about how using both preoperative and intraoperative skin surface warming techniques effectively prevents hypothermia in patients undergoing general anesthesia and surgery.

Johnson's article on the role of epidural anesthesia in trial of labor discusses how epidural anesthesia provides significant pain relief during labor, improving maternal comfort and satisfaction. The article highlights its potential to enhance labor progress and increase the chances of vaginal delivery while also addressing considerations regarding maternal and fetal outcomes. Johnson has written on the unique cardiovascular challenges and management strategies for pregnant patients, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary care to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes. In "The airway in the obstetrical patient" he highlights the critical importance of meticulous evaluation and preparation for airway management in pregnant patients. It emphasizes that anesthetists must be familiar with a clear management plan for dealing with failed intubation to ensure the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby during obstetrical anesthesia.

In 1995, while at Hutzel Women's Hospital, Johnson published a study that examined the occurrence of embolic phenomena during revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to compare cemented and cementless techniques. The study found that cemented THA procedures have a higher incidence of emboli compared to cementless procedures. It highlights the importance of intraoperative monitoring and careful selection of surgical methods based on patient risk factors to minimize embolic complications. TEE proved effective in detecting emboli in real-time, aiding in surgical decision-making and patient management.

An article by Johnson and Bulleova on pediatric anesthesia for cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology studies reviews the unique challenges and considerations in anesthetizing children for these procedures. It discusses the specific physiological differences in pediatric patients, the importance of appropriate anesthetic techniques, and the need for careful monitoring to ensure safety and comfort. The authors emphasize a multidisciplinary approach to optimize care and procedural outcomes for pediatric patients undergoing cardiac interventions.

The article "Sickle Cell Disease, Anesthesia, and Sammy Sickler" discusses the complex challenges that arise when managing patients with sickle cell disease during emergency surgery. It emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis, thorough history and physical examination, timely evaluation of laboratory values, and a multidisciplinary team approach involving anesthesiologists, surgeons, hematologists, pediatricians, obstetricians, and internists. Key considerations include choosing an appropriate anesthetic based on the patient's clinical condition and maintaining a safe perioperative environment to avoid acidosis, hypoxia, and dehydration, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality.

He has written about the unique challenges of treating geriatric patients. He contributed to "One-Lung Anesthesia Update," which provided a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements, techniques, and considerations in the practice of one-lung anesthesia.

COVID-19 pandemic

Calvin Johnson was a member of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center COVID-19 Airway Team and Invasive Line Placement ICU Team. He worked with the hospital's intubation team at the outset of the pandemic. Johnson and his colleagues at Cedars emphasized the importance of creating a dedicated line team for critically ill COVID-19 patients, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to maximize resource utilization by assembling specialized healthcare teams and implementing standardized protocols for invasive procedures.

He has been an advocate for COVID-19 vaccine education, particularly within the Black community. He spoke with NPR reporter Allison Aubrey regarding vaccine hesitancy in this community during a segment that aired on Morning Edition. Having witnessed patients die from COVID-19, he emphasizes the importance of ongoing education and outreach to combat fear and skepticism surrounding vaccines. Johnson has argued that COVID-19 vaccines, especially the mRNA versions from Pfizer and Moderna, are safe and beneficial for pregnant women and their unborn babies, outweighing any minimal risks. In a Los Angeles Sentinel editorial, he emphasized the need for educating expecting mothers about the vaccine's safety to encourage vaccination and protect maternal and fetal health.

Personal life

Johnson and his wife Elaine have three children. They serve as deacons at their church South Bay Church of Christ.

He has been actively involved in community service through various initiatives, both locally and internationally. He and his family have participated in numerous projects organized by HOPE worldwide, an arm of the International Churches of Christ. In 2004, he and his family assisted at a HOPE worldwide clinic in Mexico City, where he examined patients and his daughter translated from Spanish. In 2008, they visited India to support local workers and assess the needs of schools and an orphanage, as well as a newly acquired school. In 2010, he visited the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE in Cambodia, performing surgeries and teaching medical procedures to the staff. In the United States, he has raised over $100,000 through "Hoops for Hope," a basketball fundraiser supporting the Cambodian hospital.