“It is impressive to recount ONS’s record of achievements, activities, and events. The diversity and growth of our membership has given cancer nursing viability, visibility, and permanence. In our life together as a nursing organization, we have truly reached a milestone,” Johnson said in an address for the Society’s 10th anniversary.

Johnson joined ONS in 1979. After attending her first ONS Congress^®, Johnson became actively involved in the Society, sharing her expertise as a member of several committees, including the Education Committee from 1980–1982 and Research Committee from 1982–1983. From 1981–1983, she served as a director-at-large on the ONS Board of Directors before being elected president from 1983–1987.

During her tenure as ONS president, the first ONS-created cancer chemotherapy guidelines were published: Cancer Chemotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Nursing Education and Practice (which is now in its second edition). Johnson’s presidency also oversaw the founding of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, administering the first OCN^® examinations with 1,384 nurses passing. Johnson also helped developed ONS’s first strategic planning work, began the ONS News publication (which later evolved into ONS Voice), and guided the Society’s efforts in cancer prevention by receiving a National Cancer Institute grant to sponsor the first workshop on cancer prevention and early detection in Black Americans.

At the time, ONS was also focused on international involvement in global nursing and became a full member of the International Union Against Cancer. Her work in global nursing continued after her presidency. Johnson joined ONS’s International Task Force from 1992–1993, attending conferences around the world to collaborate with nurses and healthcare professionals from different countries—including the former USSR.

“The greatest insight I gained from the international conferences and a medical tour of the USSR is that although our approaches to health care may vary due to cultural and religious differences, support services, and allocation of resources, we do share a strong commitment to improving cancer nursing worldwide,” Johnson said. “In a growing number of countries, cancer nurses are striving to become a formally organized body of professionals. As an organization, we can serve as a catalyst for this development. This trend bodes well for the future strength and vitality of cancer nursing internationally.” 

Achievements in Transforming Care

Working at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, MN, for nearly 40 years, Johnson made a lasting impact on her patients and colleagues, receiving the university’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 2018. She co-developed the I Can Cope patient education campaign to help patients understand their illnesses. She founded HealthQuest, an organization dedicated to empowering patients living with life-changing illnesses like cancer. Johnson was a founding member of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and was a key consultant in establishing the Asian Pacific Oncology Nursing Society. Johnson also served as the founding editor of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing.

Her legacy of oncology nursing leadership and support for patients with cancer transformed the oncology nursing profession. Johnson’s experience, expertise, and voice helped to advance ONS into a leader in oncology nursing excellence, and her efforts in cancer care have changed the lives of countless patients around the world.