Well-known trauma surgeon, EMS pioneer killed on Christmas Day in Iraq

Dr. John P. Pryor, 42, a trauma surgeon and chief of critical care trauma at University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, died when a single mortar round fired blindly into the Mosul Air Base struck his sleeping quarters shortly after he attended Christmas Day mass.

Dr. Pryor was serving his second tour of duty as a major with a forward surgical team with the Army’s 1st Medical Detachment, based in Fort Totten, New York, and had arrived in Iraq on December 6th. In 2006, he served two active duty tours as a trauma surgeon for the 344th Combat Support Hospital in Abu Ghraib. Dr. Pryor was a well known surgeon who got his start in medicine working EMS in upstate New York where he grew up. His contributions to trauma, critical care, and EMS are innumerable. Dr. Pryor served as an advisor to numerous Fire and EMS publications, including Fire Engineering. He was a personal friend of Fire Engineering‘s EMS editor Mike McEvoy who calls Dr. Pryor, “an ultimate American hero, a talented surgeon, wonderful father, and a fabulous friend. The loss of such a vibrant and shining star will be felt not only in our trauma and medical communities, but will leave a very deep void in hearts throughout the world.”

In addition to his brother Dr. Richard J. Pryor of Albany, New York, he leaves behind his wife Carmella Calvo and three children, Danielle, 10, Frank, 8, and John Jr., 4, as well as his parents, Richard C. and Victoria Pryor of Florida.

The hearts and prayers of the fire service community go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Pryor.