Professor
Areas of Interest
acute care surgery, injury research, trauma surgery
Biography
Before joining the UAB Department of Surgery in September 2019 as a professor in the Division of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery, Dr. John B. Holcomb served for 23 years in the United States Army as a military trauma surgeon and researcher. A decorated soldier-surgeon-scientist, Holcomb has served in multiple combat deployments, including in Mogadishu, Somalia, where he was a part of the surgical team that delivered 48 hours of continuous care to soldiers during the battle that inspired the book and film Black Hawk Down.
From 2002 to 2008, Colonel Holcomb served as the Commander of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research and Trauma Consultant for the Army Surgeon General -- overseeing the Department of Defense's only burn center, which saw a 300% expansion through his leadership. It was during this tenure that Holcomb received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Trauma Resuscitation Science from the American Heart Association and the Service Award from the American College of Surgery for outstanding scientific contributions to the surgery of trauma and dedication to the care of wounded soldiers.
During his service, Dr. Holcomb was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal, along with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct and leadership. In recognition of a lifetime of service and dedication to the surgical treatment of those impacted by war, Dr. Holcomb was recognized with the United States Special Operations Command Medical Hall of Honor in 2025.
Before his retirement from active duty, Dr. Holcomb was part of the team that received U.S. Army’s Greatest Invention for Damage Control Resuscitation, which helped transform frontline trauma care by utilizing balanced blood component therapy and modern hemorrhage control strategies to manage and reduce severe bleeding.
Dr. Holcomb is actively involved in the development of surgical education and mentorship. Over the course of his career, he has worked directly with 36 research trainees and fellows. He has reviewed submissions for more than 46 journals and has published more than 785 peer-reviewed articles and 16 book chapters.
Education
Medical School
University of Arkansas Medical School, Little Rock
Residency
William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas
General Surgery
Fellowship
University of Texas Medical School, Houston
Surgical Critical Care
Contact
Campus Address
BDB 627
Phone
Patient Appointments and Questions: 205-975-7521
Academic Office: 205-975-3030
Email
jbholcomb@uabmc.edu