Dr. Johnson Named Chair of Anesthesiology at University of Arizona
We are proud to share that Dr. Ken Johnson, a longtime leader, educator, and innovator in our department, has been named Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Arizona. While we will deeply miss his warmth, vision, and day-to-day presence at the University of Utah, we are thrilled for this exciting next chapter in his career.
Dr. Johnson’s journey to academic leadership has been shaped by a remarkable commitment to service, teaching, and research. After earning an engineering degree with honors from UC Berkeley, he pursued both a medical degree and a Master of Science in bioengineering from Tulane University, supported by a US Army Health Professions Scholarship. His early career included service as a general medical officer and research scientist at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
He completed his residency in Anesthesiology at the University of Utah and went on to leave a lasting legacy of improving patient care through simulation-based education. As Director of the Center for Patient Simulation, Dr. Johnson built the program from the ground up into a nationally recognized leader in high-stakes simulation training. He was instrumental in the creation of Safe Sedation Training (SST), a national simulation program designed to instill best practices in moderate sedation techniques among multidisciplinary healthcare providers. He also led the department’s effort to secure MOCA (Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology) accreditation, which has brought thousands of anesthesiologists to the U to complete continued education in a realistic, simulation-rich environment.
In his role as Vice Chair for Research, Dr. Johnson played a pivotal part in shaping the department’s research mission—fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, mentoring early-career investigators, and securing diverse funding streams, including NIH grants and industry partnerships. A natural leader in the research space, he guided faculty through the complexities of study design, regulatory pathways, and scholarly publication with clarity and encouragement. His mentorship has helped launch the academic careers of many junior faculty and strengthened the department’s national reputation for impactful, practice-changing research.
His clinical practice has focused on acute pain management and regional anesthesia, and his own research has explored anesthetic drug interactions, respiratory monitoring, and novel applications of transthoracic echocardiography. A recipient of the IARS Teaching Recognition Award and holder of the Carter M. Ballinger M.D. Presidential Chair in Anesthesiology, Dr. Johnson is known for his humility, generosity, and dedication to mentorship.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Johnson’s enduring impact is seen in the countless trainees, colleagues, and patients whose lives he has touched. His energy, kindness, and tireless advocacy for excellence will be greatly missed.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Johnson on his well-deserved appointment. We are so grateful for his many contributions to the University of Utah, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of his leadership in Arizona and beyond.
