PHYSICIAN CEO Alumni Directory

Tim Johnson, MD is a comprehensive ophthalmologist and managing partner of Tuscaloosa Ophthalmology in

Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Dr. Johnson was born in Tuscaloosa. He attended Birmingham-Southern College in

Birmingham, Alabama where he majored in Biological Chemistry and graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum

Laude, and valedictorian. He matriculated to the Emory University School of Medicine where he graduated Cum

Laude and Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed his internship at Columbus Regional Medical Center in Columbus,

Georgia before attending the Wills Eye Hospital at Thomas Jefferson University for ophthalmology training.

During his medical training, Dr. Johnson initially pursued a career in academic medicine. His primary research

interest examined the relationship between psychology, inflammation, and different diseases, such as Benign Prostatic

Hyperplasia, Urogenital Cancer, and blindness. During medical school he was awarded a Howard Hughes Medical

Institute Research Fellowship. His research career yielded over 50 peer-reviewed articles, multiple book chapters, and

40 presentations at different conferences. He received multiple awards for his research, including one for his

invention of a novel cataract surgery device. During his research career, he mentored dozens of medical students and

undergraduates, many who have gone on to successful academic medicine careers.

Dr. Johnson entered ophthalmology residency planning to pursue a career in orbital surgery or ocular oncology at a

large academic center. However, during his training, he fell in love with cataract and refractive surgery. Following his

medical training, Dr. Johnson returned to Tuscaloosa to join his father’s ophthalmology practice. Tuscaloosa

Ophthalmology began as a two-doctor ophthalmology practice with an optical shop (Riverside Optical), and a

satellite practice in Fayette, Alabama. Since Dr. Johnson joined, the practice has expanded to include two additional

providers, a satellite practice in Aliceville, Alabama, a separately branded surgical referral clinic (Southern Eye

Consultants), and an ophthalmology specific ambulatory surgical center (Vision Correction Center).

Dr. Johnson lives in Birmingham, Alabama where his wife, Kaitlin practices pediatric anesthesiology at the Children’s

of Alabama Hospital. They have an 8-year-old son, a 2-year-old daughter, and will be expecting another son in May.

When not practicing medicine or spending time with his family, Dr. Johnson enjoys golf. He sports a gentleman’s 20

handicap. He also enjoys reading and endurance sports, such as marathons, swimming, and an Ironman triathlon.

Dr. Johnson anticipates significant practice growth in the next five to ten years. He is excited to attend the Physician

CEO program, where he hopes to grow as a practice manager. Among other attributes, he hopes to improve his

leadership skills (specifically managing managers), strategic cost-benefit analysis (including cost/benefit of creating

new versus acquiring existing practices), and creating systems to allow practices to scale.