KAFP loses a generous friend, servant leader

I am feeling the loss of Carol A. Johnson, MD, a true friend and leader.  She had a personal mission of service and a legacy of generous giving that ultimately touched lives throughout the world.

Kansas Academy of Family Physicians (KAFP) benefited from the thoughtful and consistent leadership of Dr. Johnson for many years through her service as an officer, Delegate, KAFP-Foundation President and the 2012 winner of the Kansas Humanitarian Award. She was an inspiration to all who met her. Her willing spirit and giving nature set her apart. While there was also a tough tenaciousness, she lived by the Beatitudes, and exemplified the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers.  Her acceptance speech at the 2012 Annual Meeting was one of the most inspiring speeches I’ve ever heard.  She called us all to action to share the many blessings we are given. It was powerful and very moving.

While serving as an officer of the Academy, Dr. Johnson led the way and inspired many to get involved in the fight against second hand smoke, for clean indoor air in her community and throughout the state of Kansas. She championed many other public health issues including immunizations & fluoridation.

During her years as Program Director at Wesley Family Medicine Dr. Johnson trained many family physicians who now serve communities in Kansas and across the United States. This is a lasting legacy and if she had done nothing else it would be totally outstanding on its own.  Yet there is more. 

Dr. Johnson served as KAFP President in 2003 and has been one of KAFP’s Delegates to the AAFP Congress of Delegates (CoD) since 2004. She saw this as an opportunity to represent the views of Kansas family physicians and took her duties very seriously, surveying members on key issues to gain insight into their positions. Serving as a Delegate, she always encouraged colleagues to be advocates for family medicine and the Academy.

Dr. Johnson served as President of KAFP-Foundation (KAFP-F) from 2008 to the present. She generously contributed many items for the annual KAFP-F Silent Auction fundraiser and enjoyed putting together her themed baskets. There was always a K-State purple one each year, which she sometimes bid on herself if she didn’t feel it was going for enough.  Though she did not partake of wine herself, she also spearheaded efforts to raise funds for KAFP-F through a Wine Tasting fundraiser.  During the live auction the first year, she bought an expensive bottle of wine, and then gave it back immediately to be auctioned and sold once again, thus bringing in twice as much, and providing a lighthearted moment of fun. The funds raised for KAFP-Foundation are primarily used to help residents and students get involved with family medicine through programs such as the Poster Contest, the summer rural program, the Faces in Family Medicine Program, and various scholarships.

Dr.  Johnson’s heart was with the many missions she supported. She used funds earned from her practice in Andover to support her international mission work. Dr. Johnson’s life philosophy was that “Each one of us is blessed with God-given talents that we should develop to the fullest, and use to serve. Each one of us can make a difference in someone's life every day.” She was passionate about her family, church, and international Christian medical mission work, traveling to do medical mission work internationally in Russia, Romania, Brazil, Egypt, China, and her most recent trips included Myanmar and Haiti. It brought her joy to introduce others to international mission work.

Dr. Johnson also loved the state of Kansas, celebrating Kansas Day in January, and otherwise commemorating the state’s heritage.I remember when the stairway to the capitol dome reopened in 2006 after being closed for many years.  She instigated a “climb to the top,” inviting others gathered in Topeka for Family Medicine Advocacy Day to make the trek. It ended up being 3 "Carol’s" at the top. Carol Ludwig and I huffed and puffed our way to the top of the dome behind our fearless leader, Carol Johnson.  It was windy outside but we had a great view and I remember Carol saying, "I think I can see heaven from here!"

Dr. Johnson began medical related service at St. Luke’s Hospital in Marion, Kan., where she grew up. As a Kansas State University college graduate, she taught burn prevention, first aid, CPR, nutrition, and other skills to members of the Cherokee Nation for several years as a Vista volunteer in the early 70s. As a Wesley Family Practice resident, graduating in 1980, and then as a new faculty member, she served at the Hispanic Clinic, now named GradeMed Clinic.  Dr. Johnson served as Wesley Family Medicine Residency Program Director from 1990-2001. She then worked ER and trauma in various Kansas communities before eventually settling into the Family Physicians of Kansas practice in Andover.

She served as the team physician at Sunrise Christian Academy football team and personal physician for the school’s international students.

Dr. Johnson and her ministry will be deeply missed but will live on within her family and the many missions she supported. Services were on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. at Sunrise Christian Academy, 5500 East 45^th St North, Bel Aire, KS 67220.  I am confident she is indeed seeing heaven today. 

 

KAFP-Foundation and the family have set up the Carol A Johnson MD Family Medicine International Mission Scholarship as a memorial in her honor.  Contributions are tax deductible and may be made payable to KAFP-Foundation and sent to 7570 W 21^st St N, 1046 C, Wichita, KS 67205.  Proceeds will be used to help medical students and/or residents interested in international missions.