Col. (Ret.) Donald H. Jenkins, MD, FACS

Dr. Jenkins earned a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania and his MD degree at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. He performed his surgical residency at Wilford Hall USAF Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, trauma fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and retired after nearly 25 years of active duty from the USAF in 2008.

As the former trauma medical director at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Level I Trauma Center at Saint Mary’s Hospital at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Jenkins oversaw the entire spectrum of care.

Dr. Jenkins has been the trauma director for the ACS Level I for the United States Air Force (2000–2008) and the 44th Medical Command for all medical care in Iraq (2004–2005). He helped develop the Joint Theater Trauma System for the US Central Command and was its trauma director. He helped develop the Joint Trauma System and was the trauma medical director at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas (2007–2008).

He has extensive experience in performance improvement (PI), as the ACS Committee on Trauma PIPS Committee Chair and liaison to the Society of Trauma Nurses for the Trauma Outcome PI Course. He’s built rural trauma regional organizations and teaches PI in both urban Level I and rural Level III and IV centers. 

Dr. Jenkins is currently a professor of surgery, vice chair for quality, and associate deputy director of the Military Health Institute at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.