A hero comes home

SANDUSKY — A medical director of a Sandusky-based pediatrics center recently returned home from his fourth military assignment in the Middle East. Col. Dr. Robert Johnson, of Sandusky, deployed with the 148th Infantry Batallion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Operation Inherent Resolve. He served as a battalion surgeon while stationed in Baghdad, Iraq between Nov. 16, 2022, and March 11, 2023. During this time, Johnson provided medical care for U.S. service members, NATO-allied soldiers and other foreign nationals. An active member of the U.S. Army for 38 years, Johnson returned stateside on March 11. His family greeted him with hugs and signs, which welcomed him back, at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Johnson works as the medical director of all operations at Peds on Wheels in Sandusky. He also co-founded the clinic, which aims to provide high-quality health care to children in communities within a five-county region surrounding Sandusky. Additionally, Johnson deployed with Major Dr. Matt Widmer from Firelands Physician Group. Major nurse practitioner Riley Binks, who works with Widmer at the physician's group, will be deploying at the end of this spring. For Widmer and Binks, this represents their second deployments to the Middle East.