Dr. Laura S. Johnson, MD, FACS, FCCP, FCCM, is the Medical Director of the Walter L. Ingram Burn Center at Grady. She is board certified in general surgery, surgical critical care, and neurocritical care and is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine, as well as an adjunct Associate Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Dr. Johnson received her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Southern California. She completed her residency training at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and her fellowship training at Grady. She was on faculty at MedStar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC) and Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC) in Washington, DC, before returning to Grady in her current position.
Dr. Laura S. Johnson is passionate about teaching and is a regular faculty member or course director for Advanced Trauma Life Support, Advanced Burn Life Support, Advanced Surgical Skills for Exposure in Trauma, and other burn and trauma education opportunities. Her trainees are her proudest achievements, and she mentors medical students and residents across various disciplines. Dr. Johnson has received several awards for teaching, including in 2020 the Dr. Sally Abston Association of Women Surgeons Distinguished Member Award, as nominated by her residents, given to a member who in addition to nationally recognized clinical expertise and providing outstanding mentorship, is a role model of what I want my surgeon to be like. She has also been recognized by her nursing staff with multiple MedStar Nurses Choice awards for Physician Collaboration and her nomination for the John J Lynch, MD Center for Ethics Moral Courage award in 2018.
When she is not in the hospital, Dr. Johnson is an avid saber fencer, competing around the country, and is part of the National Tournament Committee for the United States Fencing Association.