Media contact: Micah Hardge
Photography courtesy of Jarrod JohnsonJarrod Johnson has been named the chief executive officer of UAB Callahan Eye. With over 25 years of health care industry and leadership experience, Johnson will assume the role full time Oct. 1.
“I am truly honored to join the outstanding team at UAB Callahan Eye,” Johnson said. “This institution has a rich history of excellence in eye care, and I am excited to be part of such a dedicated and passionate group of professionals.”
Johnson comes to UAB from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania, where he served as president of UPMC Carlisle. There, he spearheaded recruitment efforts, expanded service lines and improved patient access — all while achieving cost savings through reduced lengths of stay.
Prior to his tenure with UPMC, Johnson served as chief operating officer of Cook County Health System in Chicago, Illinois, where he was recruited to drive cultural change and accelerate growth at the system’s flagship hospital. His extensive leadership experience includes roles at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, New York; Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, New York; Optim Health System in Savannah, Georgia; UK King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky; and Alegent Health (known today as CHI Health) in Omaha, Nebraska.
“We are thrilled to have Jarrod join the UAB Callahan Eye leadership team,” said UAB Health System CEO Dawn Bulgarella. “His extensive experience and success at UPMC and other esteemed institutions position him as an ideal leader for Callahan. His ability to drive growth, expand service lines and enhance patient care while maintaining operational efficiency is exactly what we need to continue our mission of providing exceptional eye and vision care to our community. I am confident that Callahan will reach new heights in clinical excellence and patient satisfaction under his leadership.”
One of only two Level 1 Ocular Trauma Centers in the United States with a 24/7 eye emergency department, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital focuses on delivering consistent and innovative eye care, prioritizing the preservation and restoration of sight.
Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in health care administration from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He also received a certificate in managing health care delivery from Harvard University.
Johnson says he is looking forward to working with the people of UAB as they strive to advance the mission of improving vision and enhancing lives.
“Together, we will continue to build on the legacy of providing world-class care to our patients while exploring new opportunities for innovation and growth.”