Board of Trustees names new School of Public Health dean
 Patricia K. Johnston, DrPH, MS, RD |
On July 18, the Loma Linda University Board of Trustees voted to appoint Patricia K. Johnston, DrPH, MS, RD, as dean of the School of Public Health.
A native of the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Johnston completed her MPH in 1978 as a member of the School of Public Health's first off-campus graduating class. In 1979, she earned her MS degree in nutrition from the University of Washington, and her doctor of public health degree in nutrition was completed at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1987.
Dr. Johnston joined the School of Public Health department of nutrition in 1979. In 1987, she became director of the School's doctoral programs. In 1990, she became chair of the department of nutrition.
Two months later, she was asked to serve as associate dean for the School.
Until 1996, she served concurrently in these two positions, when she resigned the position of chair to focus her energies on academic administration.
At the 2001 commencement ceremony for the School of Public Health, she was honored by being named both the School of Public Health Alumna of the Year and the University Alumna of the Year.