Cheryl Johnson, a certified medical surgical nurse working in critical care, spent more than 30 years at the University of Michigan Hospital. Her dedication to the nursing industry, and leadership in the labor movement inspired both friends and colleagues, they say.
Johnson died Oct. 28 at U-M Hospital following a ruptured brain aneurysm. She was 57.
“Passion. Commitment. Loyalty. All qualities embedded in our dynamic Cheryl Johnson,” says Tom Bissonnette, a registered nurse and co-executive director of the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA). “Nurses and patients have lost a tremendous advocate. Cheryl kept her feet firmly rooted in bedside nursing for over 30 years while progressively advancing her leadership at the local, state, and national levels. We will miss our friend and leader.”
Johnson recently was elected to her third term as president of MNA. As a long-time leader of the organization, she served as MNA vice president, president of the Washtenaw-Livingston-Monroe chapter of MNA, as well as chair and vice-chair of the U-M Professional Nurse Council (UMPNC). In recognition of her many contributions to nursing, she was inducted in 2006 into the Michigan Nurses Hall of Fame.
She also was president of the United American Nurses, an affiliate of AFL-CIO and was one of a few women on the AFL-CIO executive council. Modern Healthcare magazine named Johnson as one of the “100 Most Powerful People in Health Care.” In 2005 she became a vice president for the Coalition of Labor Union Women.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this great leader. Nursing has had a great role model in Cheryl,” said Diane Goddeeris, a registered nurse and vice president of MNA. “I’m struck by her words: ‘it’s not about any one person; it’s about what is best for nursing.'”
“Cheryl was a nursing and labor leader at the state and national levels. She was a model for all of us to emulate. Her loss will be severely felt throughout the nursing and labor communities,” says John Armelagos, a registered nurse and president of the U-M Michigan Professional Nurse Council.
“Cheryl will be deeply missed. She had an amazing ability to advocate for nurses and their patients wherever she went. Whether in a board room, at the bedside, or at a demonstration, Cheryl was there. She was always pushing to make things better, to make a difference,” says John Karebian, co-executive director of MNA. “Continuing to fight for nurses’ rights would be a most fitting tribute to Cheryl.”
Johnson is survived by her immediate family: her parents, two brothers, daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and nieces and nephews. She also is survived by her fiancé, his three children and their families.
A memorial service is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Ford Amphitheatre at the U-M Hospital.
