Thank you for visiting my page!
My name is John Pohl. Although a native Texan, I have lived in Salt Lake City, Utah for many years. I am an academic pediatric gastroenterologist who also has a doctorate in theology. I have significant interests in the intersection of science and religion. Thank you for visiting my blog. Here is a bit about me. You can read my blog regarding thoughts on science (not just medicine), theology, and at times, philosophy.
Academics:
My academic life in medicine: Here is my academic web site at the University of Utah https://healthcare.utah.edu/find-a-doctor/john-f-pohl. Here is my Google Scholar account: John F. Pohl MD – Google Scholar.
I have written the series titled “From the Pediatric Literature” for Practical Gastroenterology for many years. Here is a link to this journal section: https://practicalgastro.com/category/departments-section/from-the-pediatric-literature/
A sampling of some of my academic medicine work indexed on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=pohl+jf&sort=pubdate
I have been on a few podcasts:
University of Utah “The Microbiome and You” https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/mens-health/all/2022/06/107-microbiome-and-you
University of Utah: “The Poop on Poop” https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/mens-health/all/2022/05/100-poop-poop
eCysticFibrosis Review: “Optimizing Nutrition in Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis” https://shows.acast.com/ecysticfibrosisreview/episodes/5fa6e338ae4e1536a9318303
Science…Sort of: “Sausage-Shaped but Lumpy” https://sciencesortof.com/show-notes/2014/08/episode-202-sausage-shaped-but-lumpy
NASPGHAN: “Cystic Fibrosis for Pediatric Gastroenterologists” https://naspghan.buzzsprout.com/581062/10720867?fbclid=IwAR1oEzPy
Utah AAP Virtual Curbside: “GI” https://vcurb.com/40-gi/
(Re)Thinking Faith Podcast: “A Theology of the Microbiome” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-theology-of-the-microbiome-with-john-f-pohl/id1438696524?i=1000697848247
The Whole Church Podcast: “Faith and the Microbial World (Jesus Poops!)” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-and-the-microbial-world-jesus-poops-a/id1111797158?i=1000735499141
I have been on YouTube and other video platforms as well:
University of Utah: “Diagnosis and Management of Carbohydrate-Induced Diarrhea” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f_E6TsK9LU
Footnotes2Plato: “Gastroenterology and Process Theology: Dialoging with John Pohl, MD” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYY80YijAIA&t=4619s
American Scientific Affiliation: “Reports from the Front Line of the COVID-19 Crisis” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABPwgPnrTxQ
University of Utah Project Echo: https://physicians.utah.edu/echo/clinical-support-areas/pediatrics/pediatrics-previous-sessions
My talk for the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science: “The Microbiome: Theological Implications” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8Id8-zQCVA
My talk with Jonathan_Foster: “Macro Conversation bout the Microbiome with John Pohl” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chlxPuQT9oo&t=3457s
My sermon (“Faith and Science. Faith and Love.”) at Wasatch Presbyterian Church (10/5/2025) https://www.wpcslc.org/worship-from-wasatch
Theologia Addita:
I have done some writing for God and Nature Magazine which is a publication of the American Scientific Affiliation. Here is a link to some of my on-line work: https://godandnature.asa3.org/apps/search?q=pohl
I have written several book reviews for Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith which is the official academic journal of the American Scientific Affiliation: Here is a link to some of my on-line work (just put in my name): https://network.asa3.org/page/PSCF
I have written a rather large blog post for Biologos (2013!). Here it is (shortened summary actually): https://biologos.org/personal-stories/a-faith-journey-in-a-medical-science-career
Some of my theology work has been recorded:
2017 ASA National Meeting: https://a916407.fmphost.com/fmi/webd/ASAdb49?script=SearchForSourceOccasion&$SearchString=%222017+Annual+Meeting%22
I have done some writing for the Center for Open & Relational Theology (2025): https://c4ort.com/essays/do-our-bacteria-love-us/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNd98JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0ektRUGJjUHRhRHdmY3ZuAR5RCwx4emLlS-q3X1eCnjyiIVbnPPQbJiLiQhsnAge80-T0K92xNaVY9NzO8Q_aem_x95d9q-2NYTZdA3zRAv9cg
Books:
And I have been a co-editor for a book on pediatric GI titled “Pediatric Gastroenterology: A Color Handbook.” I think it is awesome and it was nominated as “Highly Commended, BMA Medical Book Awards” (2015). Here is the link: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.1201/b16722/pediatric-gastroenterology-john-pohl-daniel-gelfond-christopher-jolley
My book “A Theology of the Microbiome: An Intersection of Divinity and the Microbial Life Within Us” (2024) is available to purchase on Amazon. It was nominated for “Book of the Year” (2025) by the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR).
Book Chapters:
Pohl J, Lewis LG, Heubi J (2001). Diseases of the gallbladder, Chapter 16. In Suchy F (Ed.), Liver Disease in Children (2nd). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.
Pohl J, Balistreri WF (2002). Neonatal jaundice, Chapter 96. In Mattei P (Ed.), Surgical Directives: Pediatric Surgery. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.
Pohl J (2011). Gastrointestinal foreign bodies. In Ebell M (Ed.), Evidence at Hand (1st). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Pohl JF (2011). Exocrine Function, Chapter 7B. In Hurtado C and Sondheimer J (Eds.), The NASPGHAN Fellows Concise Review of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (1st Edition) (1st). New York: Castle Connolly Graduate Medical Publishing, Ltd.
Pohl JF, Lowichik A, Cantrell A (2014). Cystic Fibrosis and Celiac Disease. In Watson R (Ed.), Diet and Exercise in Cystic Fibrosis. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
Pohl JF and McDonald C (2016). Nutrition for Pancreatic Sufficient Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis. In Pohl JF and McDonald C (Eds.), Nutrition in Cystic Fibrosis: A Guide for Clinicians (1st Edition). New York: Humana Press.
Szabo F and Pohl JF (2016). Exocrine Function. In Hurtado CW and Li B (Eds.), The NASPGHAN Fellows Concise Review of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (2nd, pp. 527-529). Fairfax, Virginia: Pretzelman Printing Group.
Pohl JF (2021). “An Open and Relational God and Modern Medicine.” In Reddish T, Rambob B, Stedman F, Oord TJ (Eds.), Partnering with God: Exploring Collaboration in Open and Relational Theology (pp. 145-148). SacraSage Press.
Pohl JF (2025). Do Our Bacteria Love Us? In Baker CS, Brown B, Stewart MO, Young JT (Eds.), Amipotence: Support and Criticism (1, pp. 157-160). SacraSage Press.
Pohl JF (2025). God Loves Science and God Loves You! In Kling SD (Ed.), Renewing Faith: Reigniting Faith and Ministry through Process and Open & Relational Theologies (pp. 279-285). SacraSage Press.
I would love it if you visited my blog!
Phi-The-Sci: Equilateral Musings 