Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare

The Hidden World of Emergency Rooms with Tim Pohlman

• Marcus Engel • Season 1 • Episode 184

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In this episode of Compassion & Courage, trauma surgeon Tim Pohlman shares his experiences from the hospital walls, the emotional toll of trauma care, and the importance of compassionate presence in medicine. Discover the realities of emergency resuscitation, ethical dilemmas, and how to maintain resilience in high-stakes environments.

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About Timothy Pohlman, M.D., F.A.C.S.:
Timothy Pohlman, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in Trauma Surgery. He is also board-certified in Surgical Critical Care, and board-certified in Neurocritical Care. Dr. Pohlman is former Professor of Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSOM). During that time, Dr. Pohlman was a staff surgeon at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, IN., Medical Director of Trauma Intensive Care, Director of Trauma Outreach, and Assistant Medical Director for LifeLine Critical Care Transport for Trauma. Dr. Pohlman graduated from Knox College in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He received a doctorate in medicine from Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL, being elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society his senior year. Dr. Pohlman then completed internship and residency in general surgery at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI, serving as Chief Resident his fifth year. Dr. Pohlman obtained advanced training as a Fellow in trauma and burn surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. During his training, he was supported by a National Institutes of Health Research Service Award. After fellowship training, Dr. Pohlman remained in Seattle, joining the faculty of the University of Washington as assistant professor of surgery. He was subsequently promoted to full professor, with tenure in 2000. While at the University of Washington he was awarded research grants from the National Institute of Health to study human responses to injury. In 2005 he was recruited to IUSOM in Indianapolis, IN to serve as director of Surgical Critical Care. Dr. Pohlman has received numerous awards during his career, including Outstanding Teacher of the Year from the University of Washington, School of Medicine. Dr. Pohlman is a member of over 20 professional organizations, including the Society of University Surgeons, The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, The Neurocritical Care Society, Surgical Infection Society, where he serves on the Informatics Committee, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the Chest Wall Injury Society, where he serves on the Publication Committee. He has authored or coauthored over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, eMedicine articles, and scholarly book reviews. In 2004, he was Visiting Professor in the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Mie University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. In Indiana, Dr. Pohlman has served on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Rural Health Association. Currently he serves on the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of Indiana and is a member of the Indiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Board. He is also a member of the Medical Executive Committee of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, and a member of the Physician Advisory Committee of the Indiana Donor Network. Dr. Pohlman is a former co-chair of the Transfusion Committee for IU Health, which oversees an annual budget of $16.5 million. Dr. Pohlman also served for a number of years as track surgeon for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He also has been a NASCAR-certified on-track physician (designated in track radio transmissions as the “99”).

Date: 7/27/2026 
Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare 
Episode number and title: Episode 184 – The Hidden World of Emergency Rooms with Tim Pohlman

keywords
trauma surgery, emergency medicine, resilience, medical ethics, compassionate care, hospital stories