John Ulatowski

Ulatowski, a director of anesthesiology, was born in Buffalo, New York. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Niagara University in New York in 1975, and a master’s degree in natural sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1977. Ulatowski then continued his studies at SUNY Buffalo, earning a Ph.D. in physiology in 1980, and a medical degree in 1984. He later earned an MBA from Loyola College of Maryland (now Loyola University Maryland).

Ulatowski completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in neurology at the University of Maryland Hospital. In 1988, he completed a residency in anesthesiology, and fellowships in neurosurgical anesthesia and neuroscience critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins. He then joined the faculty as assistant professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine, and associate director of the department’s resident education program.

Ulatowski rose to serve as co-director of the neuroscience critical care unit, director of fellowship training for the NCCU, director of inpatient clinical programs, director of the division of general anesthesiology, and vice chair for clinical affairs. In 2004, he was named the Mark C. Rogers Chair in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, and anesthesiologist-in-chief of The Johns Hopkins Hospital, posts he held until 2013. Under his direction, the department emerged as an institutional leader in patient safety, culminating in the founding of the Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality. Ulatowski facilitated telemedicine initiatives in the adult and pediatric intensive care units to improve patient care.

He is one of the leading investigators into the regulatory mechanisms of blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain. His research has focused on the development and application of invasive and noninvasive techniques for monitoring brain function, fluid management, and sedation in patients with brain injury; use of novel oxygen carriers in blood; and new techniques and therapies for stroke.

In 2013, Ulatowski stepped down as anesthesiology director to become vice president and executive medical director of Johns Hopkins Medicine International. In this capacity he has focused on health service research, specifically toward the design of safer systems in high-acuity health care environments.

Ulatowski is a member of numerous professional societies including the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the International Anesthesia Research Society.