Episode Description
In this episode of SuperPerformers, host Rob Herman speaks with Dr. Jordan Bonamo, a pioneering neurointensivist at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute. As the driving force behind the nation’s first Flex ICU and one of the first physicians to bridge emergency and critical care medicine, Dr. Bonamo shares insights from his remarkable career spanning emergency medicine, tactical operations, and community building.
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Episode Summary
Dr. Jordan Bonamo’s career exemplifies innovation in medicine and community building. The episode begins with his groundbreaking work developing the nation’s first Flex ICU at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute, a project first conceptualized in 2007 to address critical gaps in patient care. Dr. Bonamo explains how the initiative overcame healthcare’s traditionally slow pace of change through strategic partnerships and persistent vision.
The conversation explores his unique journey as one of the first physicians certified in both emergency and critical care medicine. Dr. Bonamo shares perspectives from his diverse roles, including serving as a tactical physician with Cincinnati Police SWAT, leading international medical missions in resource-limited environments, and working as a flight physician. He discusses the challenges of making life-or-death decisions with limited resources and how these experiences shaped his approach to patient care.
In the final segment, Dr. Bonamo details his role as co-owner of CrossFit Cincinnati, one of the original 500 CrossFit affiliates, where he focuses on building resilient communities. He emphasizes the importance of both physical and mental wellness, discussing his initiative to create a “suicide-proof” gym environment and lead men’s mental health programs. Throughout the episode, Dr. Bonamo stresses the value of maintaining proper nutrition, exercise, and work-life balance while pursuing excellence across multiple domains.
“I have anxiety and fear every day that I work. And the day that I don’t, I should probably retire. Because if I’m not anxious that I’m doing the right thing for somebody, if I’m not concerned that I’m potentially making the wrong decision, then I’m not being intellectually honest.”
Podcast Description
The SuperPerformers podcast, powered by 4100FS, offers accessible insights from successful, driven leaders across various fields. Host Rob Herman engages guests from business, medicine, law, sports, entertainment, philanthropy, and other sectors to deliver compelling stories and valuable lessons from those who have achieved excellence in their fields.