Judith L. Johnson

Outstanding Achievement Award Recipient

College of Education and Human Development, August 4, 2018

Judith L. Johnson received a master’s degree in public health from the School of Public Health (1975) and a Ph.D. in adult education (1979) from the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. Over the course of her nearly four-decade career at North Memorial Medical Center, Johnson made a significant and lasting impact in the field of patient-centered care, especially for those with cancer. She is credited with establishing the first cancer support group in the Twin Cities, “I Can Cope.” This program, based on her dissertation, included free educational classes and a weekend retreat for cancer patients, family members, and close friends. The American Cancer Society took the program nationwide with about 500,000 people in 49 states attending in the first 16 years. Johnson also started “Women in Nature,” a rehabilitation program that offers women with cancer a means for building self-esteem and confidence through an outdoor environmental experience. In addition, she established “Stroke Wise,” an educational and support group for stroke survivors, after she had a stroke herself. She promotes the field of oncology nursing around the world. Johnson was a key consultant in establishing the Asian Pacific Oncology Nursing Society (AONS) and is the editor-in-chief of theAsian Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing. She helped launch the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and served as its associate director. Johnson also served as president of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) for four years. She is the author of numerous books, journal articles, and educational resources. She is the recipient of many prestigious awards and recognitions including: The ONS/Amgen Award for Excellence in Patient/Public Education, the ONS Distinguished Service Award, the ONS Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Award, and the American Cancer Society’s Outstanding Service Award, to name a few. In addition, Johnson was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the most prestigious recognition for nurses in the U.S.

Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.