Jake Johnson 18C

Protective Services Emergency Management Consultant
Bon Secours Mercy Health
Greenville, South Carolina

Jake Johnson stumbled upon an unexpected career path during his time as an Emory student. A biology and classical civilizations double major, Johnson was reading the Emory Wheel one day when he saw an article that caught his interest: Emory had just completed a full-scale emergency management exercise. Intrigued, he sought internships with Emory’s Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These experiences became turning points for him.

After delving into the field, Johnson was hooked. Initially employed as the emergency manager for two local hospitals, he earned a master’s in emergency management, obtained licensure as a paramedic, and completed several professional certifications. Working at a local level, he guided hospitals through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, he coordinated a clinic that vaccinated more than 50,000 people, and he spearheaded a project that vaccinated 6,000 teachers in a single day.

His work led to a well-deserved promotion. He now collaborates with the Protective Services Team of Bon Secours Mercy Health, offering consultation on emergency management matters for all 34 hospitals within one of the nation’s largest hospital systems.