Christopher Johnson, MD, FAAFP, CSCS, earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria. He completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of South Bend in Indiana and completed a sports medicine fellowship with Notre Dame in South Bend. Prior to joining Springfield Clinic, he served as a physician in the Peoria area for over a decade.
Dr. Johnson wants his patients to feel empowered during their visits. "When a patient comes to see me, it’s their appointment, not mine," he says. "My role is to help them reach their goals."
With a focus on open dialogue, Dr. Johnson tries to start each visit with a simple, open-ended question to let the patient share what’s on their mind. “I believe history drives diagnosis, so I’ll often just say, ‘tell me more’ and listen until there’s nothing left to add,” he says.
Dr. Johnson is aiming high. "In my practice, I want to set the standard for what primary care can be—providing accessible, compassionate care that empowers patients to take control of their health," he says. “I want to build a community that truly embraces the idea that exercise is medicine and prioritizes long-term wellness.”
In his free time, Dr. Johnson loves spending time with his family, coaching at BRelentless Training and Sports Performance in Morton, cheering on the Fighting Illini and being disappointed by the Chicago Bears.
Top Areas of Focus:
Acute illness and chronic disease management
Exercise prescription
Joint injections
Men's Health
Metabolic syndrome
Non-operative fracture management
Non-opioid pain management
Non-surgical musculoskeletal injuries
Obesity, Hypertension, Diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia
Preventative health
Primary care for athletes of all ages
Sports medicine
