Johnnie L Gilpen Jr

Johnnie's mission is to create a world where anyone who questions their place is reminded of their inherent belonging—and empowered with the tools to ground themselves and find light through the darkness.

Johnnie is a certified Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant (PA-C) specializing in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. He is a full-time ER provider at The Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He holds the NCCPA Certification of Advanced Qualification (CAQ) in Emergency Medicine and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP). Johnnie is a co-owner of Public Health Research and Education Associates, LLC (PHREA), a research and education consulting company he owns with his wife, Dr. Leslie Ballenger, DrPH. He is the CEO of Publishing LLC, a publishing company dedicated to providing a platform for veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals to tell their stories. For the past 17 years, Johnnie has been a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) epidemiologist, subject-matter expert, and instructor at the Department of Homeland Security – FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama. His commitment to community service is commendable, as he dedicates his time to volunteering with the Oklahoma Region 3 REMSS Disaster Response Team.

Johnnie's remarkable achievements are a testament to his impactful work. He was honored as a 2017 Pat Tillman Foundation Tillman Scholar and a 2019 War Horse Combat Medic and Corpsman Writing Fellow. His dedication to learning and growth is evident in his completion of the Team Health Emergency Medicine Advanced Practice Clinician (EMPAC) Post-Graduate Fellowship in 2021, a National Institute of Health (NIH) – National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease (NIAID) Emerging Infectious Disease and Bioterrorism Fellowship in 2007, and National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA)-University of Oklahoma (OU) Geospatial Summer Institute Fellowship in 2004.

Johnnie's educational background is a solid foundation for his expertise. He earned his Physician Associate degree from the University of Oklahoma—Health Sciences Center, a Master of Science degree in Epidemiology from the same institution, a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology with minors in Chemistry and Zoology from the University of Oklahoma, and an Applied Associate of Science in Emergency Medicine Science from Oklahoma City Community College. These degrees reflect his comprehensive understanding of healthcare and commitment to continuous learning.

Johnnie's service in the United States Navy as 8404 Fleet Marine Force (FMF) with the 2nd Marine Division is a testament to his courage and dedication to others. He was assigned to 1st Platoon, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, and Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. His service took him to the Mediterranean with the Battalion Landing Team 2/8 (BLT 2/8), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit – Special Operations Capable (MEU-SOC) as part of IFOR. Johnnie's bravery and commitment were recognized with the Navy-Marine Corps Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, NATO Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, Fleet Marine Force (FMF) (Qualification), and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (Qualification). Before his Navy service, he served with the Oklahoma National Guard as a 67N UH-1 Helicopter Repairer (i.e., Huey crew chief) with the 1st/245th Aviation Battalion (Special Operations) (Airborne). These experiences have instilled in him a strong sense of leadership and teamwork, which he has carried into his professional life.

In December 2024, Johnnie published his first book, Tales From the Green Side: Volume 1 (8404 Publishing). As a Warhorse writing fellow, he published FRONT and CENTER in September 2021. Corpsman-Turned-Covid-19 Frontliner: Delta Isn’t a “Political Stunt” The War Horse Journal; Sept 15th, 2021. (https://thewarhorse.org/corpsman-now-covid-medical-professional-reflects-on-pandemic/), a story about his struggles as an Emergency Medicine PA during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, he published The Circus is Coming to Town. The War Horse Journal; March 25th, 2020. (https://thewarhorse.org/the-circus-is-coming-to-town/), about his thoughts on the new COVID-19 virus in the early stages of the outbreak; in 2019, he wrote, You have not seen the last of these Marines! The War Horse Journal; July 10th, 2019. (https://thewarhorse.org/reflections-archives/you-have-not-seen-the-last-of-these-marines/) about his struggles of going back to PA school at 46, and I am just a bill, stuck on Capitol Hill. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. 32(3): 1-2, about being involved in legislative activism as a PA student. As an epidemiologist, Johnnie specialized in the transmission dynamics of zoonotic—foreign and transmissible — animal diseases as biological weapons. Two professional publications of interest in this area are his publications on agroterrorism. The first is Agricultural Emergencies in Pre-Harvest Livestock: Primer for Traditional and Non-Traditional First Responders. Journal of Biosecurity and Biodefense: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science. 7(2): 187-198; and the second he co-authored with Drs. Carabin, Perez, and Greenfield. Chapter 22: Animal Diseases as a Possible Consequence of Biological Attack. Greenfield, RA and Bronze, MS. Biodefense: Principles and Pathogens; 737-791.

Johnnie lives in Oklahoma with his wife, Leslie, and their dog, Harley. In their free time, they can be found hiking, boating, kayaking, and fishing in a campground near you. These activities not only provide a much-needed break from his demanding professional life but also contribute to his physical and mental well-being. Johnnie is also the Team Captain for the Team Tillman Extreme Racing Team, and they competed in the Bataan Death March this past March in White Sands, New Mexico – “America’s toughest marathon,” according to Men’s Health.

Johnnie is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant in the Emergency Department at The Children's Hospital. Johnnie completed a fellowship in emergency medicine, is certified in emergency medicine, is a national registered paramedic, and completed an NIH fellowship in bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases. Johnnie is a former US Navy Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Hospital Corpsman who served with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit – Special Operations Capable (MEUSOC). Johnnie is also a Pat Tillman Foundation Tillman Scholar and a War Horse Journal Combat Medic and Corpsman Writing Fellow. Johnnie’s passion is to promote mental health among veterans, first responders, and healthcare workers through his Art of Medicine, Art of Law Enforcement, and Art of Struggle programs.