THE TRUTH

A Model of Redemption and Perseverance

In a time when authenticity and sincerity are overused buzzwords with little real meaning, Dr. Christopher J. Colombo has modeled his life on being truly himself. A devoted husband and father to his wife and two children, Christopher gains wisdom both from his successes and failures. He centers himself on timeless values: service and devotion to community and commitment to something greater than self, and credits his parents and family for teaching and modeling these values while raising him. 

Once a rising star in his military and graduate medical education career, Christopher was fired from a career aspirational position.  He learned through hard-won experience that self-imposed challenges and failures are the simplest yet most difficult to overcome.  He is an exemplar of what second chances can bring, if they are confronted honestly, forthrightly, and with humility.  His personal and professional reinvention is one of inspiration and holds lessons for all about the balance between passion and equanimity, which gives him a unique perspective as he has seen leadership and mentorship from both the peak and the valley. 

As an experienced mentor, coach, and critical care physician, Christopher’s professional accomplishments speak for themselves. He has served in Iraq as the Critical Care Consultant to the Theater surgeon general, the Advanced Life Support consultant to the Army Surgeon General, and the Army Representative for Advanced Life Support and Resuscitation to the Defense Health Agency. His most challenging position was as a fledgling department chief, standing up the virtual health department at a military treatment facility during the pandemic. Finding a new direction in research late in his career, he has served as a Principal Investigator on over $20 million of military, medical, and technology research as well as leading clinical trials in COVID therapeutics. His journey to scholarly excellence as a Professor Of Medicine has taught him many lessons about perseverance, steady effort, and ethical conduct.

Christopher sees his professional accomplishments as secondary to his foundation as a mentor and coach; his commitment to his values, along with his insight into treating his teams the way he treats his family, enables any success he might claim. His family was instrumental in supporting him during a time of personal and professional discovery, and the insights he gained helped him fulfill his “why”–aiding and guiding others to reach the whole of their potential, even (and especially) from the depths of struggle that come with a professional failure.  

Invited to join the Institute of Purpose–founded by Ed Nissen–Christopher has supported the Institute’s mission steadfastly. Aligned with the institute's potential to make meaningful positive change, he looks forward to fulfilling his role. Christopher’s life experience and expertise are integral to his impact on the mission at the Institute of Purpose. Wherever you find him–in front of a children’s chess class, on a sports field, on a Zoom call with a client, or having a mentoring breakfast with one of his children–he is always serving others with the goal of making them their best selves. 

Christopher’s accolades are many and still growing. From facilitating patient care access during the height of the pandemic to innovating technology for pandemic and disaster response, his guiding hand as a leader of research teams will be felt long past his participation. His proteges demonstrate his value as a mentor–his fondest wish for his mentees is that they surpass him, and there are many examples of his impact on the next generation of providers, researchers, and leaders.

In a time when the term mentor is often used superficially, Dr. Christopher J. Colombo's commitment to being sincere and true to his proteges is inspiring. His passion, competence, and dedication to facilitating the best in others make him not only a true mentor but also a living demonstration of success that follows failure. He gladly continues that work with the Institute of Purpose, helping others become their best.