Jump to content

Lillie Johnson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lillie Johnson
Born (1922-03-16) March 16, 1922 (age 102)
Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica
OccupationNurse
AwardsOrder of Ontario Order of Canada

Lillie Johnson, CM (born March 16, 1922) is a Jamaican-Canadian nurse and public health advocate.[1] Recognized as the first Black Director of Public Health in Ontario, Johnson's work focused on advocating for patients with sickle cell disease.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Johnson was born in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, the third on nine siblings.[3] She began her career as an elementary school teacher.[2]

Career

[edit]

At 29 years old, Johnson moved to Edinburgh, Scotland to pursue nursing.[4] Johnson migrated to Ontario, Canada in 1960 to work as a nurse after practicing in England, Jamaica and America.

Johnson became the Director of Nursing Services at Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Health Unit in Smiths Falls, Ontario.[3]

Aside from nursing, Johnson also taught a post-diploma certificate course in Child and Maternal Health at Humber College.[3]

In 1981, Johnson founded the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario to provide outreach and advocacy programs not previously available in the region.[4]

Honours

[edit]

In 2010, Johnson was made a Member of the Order of Ontario for her advocacy work include screening for sickle cell disease in the universal screening process for newborns.[5]

In 2015, Johnson was a torchbearer for the 2015 Pan American Games hosed in Toronto, Ontario.[2]

In 2023, Johnson was made a Member of the Order of Canada for her contribution to public health.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Armstrong, Neil (30 December 2023). "Jamaican-Canadian centenarian named to the Order of Canada". jamaica-gleaner.com.
  2. ^ a b c Biason, Rebecca (19 January 2024). "U of T Nursing alum and public health advocate appointed to Order of Canada". Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Our Founder". Sickle Cell Association of Ontario.
  4. ^ a b Srikanthan, Sinthu; Ferguson, Vanessa. "Counter-Storytelling for Social Change - Part 2: Miss Lillie Johnson". The Red Blood Cell Disorders Hub. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  5. ^ "30 Appointees Named To Ontario's Highest Honour". Ontario Newsroom. January 21, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  6. ^ Office of the Secretary to the Governor Governor (22 December 2023). "Order of Canada appointees – December 2023". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 9 February 2024.