Peter Johnson graduated from Berlin High School in 1978. He considered becoming a carpenter after high school, but was persuaded by his family physician to become a medical doctor. Johnson, however, didn’t think he was smart enough.
With encouragement from both parents he entered UW-Oshkosh. There he took lots of pre-med courses but initially struggled, given his lack of study skills. He ultimately did well, graduated in 1982 and applied to medical school….and wasn’t accepted. He enrolled at UW-Madison, got great grades and was ultimately accepted into both Wisconsin medical schools.
Following UW Medical School graduation in 1987, Dr. Johnson became an obstetrics and gynecology resident at University of Chicago Hospital from 1987 to 1991. He then completed epidemiology training at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta from 1991 to 1993. While at CDC, he performed cervical cancer epidemiological research in Africa. From 1993 until 1996, Dr. Johnson was a gynecologic oncology fellow at University of Minnesota.
In 1996, 18 years after graduating from Berlin High School, Dr. Johnson began his career as a gynecologic oncologist. He eventually became Director of Gynecologic Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Johnson is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, gynecologic oncology as well as hospice and palliative care. He is a fellow at the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology. He performed the first gynecologic oncology robotic surgery in Wisconsin, and taught robotic surgery throughout the United States.
Dr. Johnson continues to return to his roots on his farm west of Berlin, where he practices regenerative agriculture. Dr. Peter loves to learn and finds new excitement through his farm. “To challenge yourself is to grow, to improve is to change.” He knows that one must step outside their comfort zone because that is where real growth happens.
