LuMInary of Twin Cities Medicine By Marvin S. Segal, M.D.
CAroLyN ADAIr JoHNSoN, M.D. Often, the spotlight of medicine shines most brightly on our most renowned physicians — those with well-known research and academic achievements, multiple subspecialty certifications and past celebrated honors. Not often enough does that spotlight illuminate those in our profession who show up for work each day, go about the multi-tasking business of medicine and diligently care for patients and their families. Carolyn Johnson, M.D. is a St. Paul product. She obtained bachelor degrees at the U of M and was one of but four women to graduate in her medical school class of 1952. There was little doubt that she would follow in her father’s footsteps and pursue a calling in medicine as far back as age seven when he first mentored her in the fine art of tying a surgical suture knot. After an internship at Miller Hospital (a predecessor to current United Hospital), she joined her surgeon father as a family practitioner in his Frogtown neighborhood office. That was the beginning of a varied, full and rich clinical career spanning over 50 years. Dr. Johnson’s interests and expertise were wideranging. She practiced at the time when it was not uncommon for a family doctor to make house calls, assist in the surgical suite and provide obstetrical care in addition to their clinic and hospital responsibilities. Carolyn delivered nearly 6,000 babies, most of them in hospitals; though many were home deliveries done with safely planned specialty back up. She cared for children and adults alike, and in later years she found chronic care of the geriatric population to fit her talents and attention. Dr. Johnson was certified and recertified by the American Board of Family Practice. She taught and supervised medical students and residents for many years in her office and at the hospital as a clinical faculty member through the auspices of her alma mater. Her last academic appointment was that of a full clinical professor of family practice. She served as the medical director of four Ramsey County Chronic Care facilities and was a trustee of the Minnesota Medical Director’s Association. Dr. Johnson’s meaningful volunteer professional activities included positions on multiple Quality Assurance 32
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committees plus additional organizational responsibilities in the realms of pharmacy and therapeutics, ob-gyn and chronic care. She was a member of the Bethesda Hospital Staff Executive Committee and served her colleagues as president of the Ramsey Medical Society Senior Physicians’ Association. Dr. Johnson’s 55+ years as an active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians has been capped with her designation as Life Member by that noble body. Carolyn’s remarkable professional activities were not a deterrent to leading a full family life away from her offices and hospitals. She married her childhood sweetheart, Dr. Clarence Wesenberg (chair of the Department of Educational Psychology at the U of M — now deceased), and together they raised six children. Dr. Johnson admits to juggling and balancing their busy work schedules with that of their home responsibilities and attributes their success in that realm to her husband’s excellent meal planning and cooking skills. In the course of a working day, Dr. Carolyn Johnson frequently cradled a softly cooing newborn in her arms and comforted a frail and wizened elderly patient — all, while still carrying out the many additional tasks of an outstanding family physician. We are proud and pleased to direct our spotlight of medicine on this Luminary, who epitomizes the finest principles of the practice of medicine. This last page series is intended to honor esteemed colleagues who have contributed significantly to Twin Cities medicine. Please forward names of physicians you would like considered for this recognition to Nancy Bauer, managing editor, nbauer@metrodoctors.com.
MetroDoctors
The Journal of the Twin Cities Medical Society