For some "adversity" is just another word that refers to life’s challenges. However, for one Southern University Law Center (SULC) employee, overcoming adversity can be summed up by saying: never quit.
Dr. Lena Mae Johnson stands as a paragon of dedication and advocacy, embodying the spirit of a true change-maker. A native of Bayou Goula, Dr. Johnson’s journey has been marked by an unwavering commitment to professional excellence and community service.
"My goal in life was always to become a professional and entrepreneur who can make changes in the lives of people,” says Dr. Lena Mae Johnson, coordinator of admission and Title IX confidential advisor at SULC. "I want to be an example to others that you can always follow your dreams and become whatever you want if you work hard and trust God during the process.”
Dr. Johnson’s 'passion for the profession' acted as a guiding light through layers of adversity that likely would have derailed others.
Her aspiration to effect meaningful change in society led her to pursue an Executive Ph.D. in Public Policy.
"The Executive Ph.D. in Public Policy Program is designed to train individuals to be policy change agents," says Dr. Johnson explains. "It focuses on both the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy, providing insights necessary to make a difference in policy development and implementation."
This advanced degree equips Dr. Johnson with the expertise to recruit students effectively and uphold the Law Center's mission to train a cadre of lawyers equipped with the skills necessary for the practice of law and positions of leadership in society.
What makes Dr. Johnson's story remarkable is that while working full-time and pursuing her doctoral degree, she and her family overcame serious health challenges which led her to produce groundbreaking research on Sickle Cell Disease.
"Navigating these challenges required dedication, strategic planning, and a very supportive network of professors and family who wanted me to be successful," Lena recalls.
Dr. Johnson’s academic accomplishments include publishing two significant articles in 2024. The first, published in the Journal of Health, Nursing, and Medicine, is titled "Trends in Hospitalization, Treatment Costs, And Length of Stay for Sickle Cell Disease Patients in the United States: A Comprehensive Analysis."
This article delves into the disparities in healthcare costs and hospitalization trends for sickle cell disease patients, a condition predominantly affecting African Americans.
The second article, published in the Journal of Public Policy and Administration Research, titled "The Influence of Demographic and Insurance Factors on Hospitalization Rates, Treatment Costs, and Length of Stay for Sickle Cell Disease Patients Among African Americans, " highlights the complex relationship between demographic factors, insurance coverage, and healthcare outcomes for African Americans with sickle cell disease.
Dr. Johnson’s motivation to focus on this topic stems from a personal connection—her daughter, who was tragically murdered in 2006, who had a sickle cell trait, and her son who also carries the trait.
The health disparities, unmet needs in research and treatment, and the impact on the quality of life for sickle cell patients are areas that need urgent attention,” says Dr. Johnson. “I hope my research will improve public policy and healthcare practices in the United States by enhancing access to healthcare, advancing research funding, and advocating for policy changes.
Looking ahead, Dr. Johnson remains committed to lobbying for increased funding for sickle cell disease from the federal government, especially in Louisiana. She aims to network with legislators to secure more resources for sickle cell research and establish a new facility in Baton Rouge.
Dr. Johnson also plans to open a non-profit agency dedicated to assisting patients with sickle cell disease and other chronic illnesses, providing educational sessions, medical resources, and scholarships for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who will further sickle cell research. She is an active member of American Society for Public Administrators (ASPA) and Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA).
Dr. Lena Mae Johnson’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and unwavering faith. Her contributions to public policy, healthcare, and education are a testament to her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others, embodying the true spirit of a change-maker.
Original source can be found here.