Jennifer Johnson, PhD, was among ten newly designated University Distinguished Professors recognized at a reception in East Lansing on November 20. The recognition honors Michigan State University faculty members for their outstanding achievements in teaching, research, and public service.

Johnson is the founding chair and C.S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health. She is also a professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, and a professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine. She is the first ever to receive this title within the Department of Public Health.

“I’m honored and grateful that my colleagues would think of me for this designation and spend the time it takes to create a nomination, collect letters, and submit a packet for me,” she said. “I hope this honor will help elevate our work to strengthen community mental health and maternal health services.”

Read more about the title University Distinguished Professor

She leads two National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded center grants: the National Center for Health and Justice Integration for Suicide Prevention (NCHATS) and the Maternal Health MIRACLE Center of Excellence in Women’s Health Research.

In partnership more than 15 universities and health systems and more than 20 national, state, and local organizations, NCHATS identifies ways to provide suicide prevention to individuals interacting with police, courts, jails, and crisis services. 

“NCHATS has solved one key problem in suicide prevention: identifying individuals at risk for suicide when they are at risk,” said Johnson.

Partnering with mothers, community leaders, and health systems, the MIRACLE Center works to improve maternal health services across Michigan. The Center includes three MSU College of Human Medicine-led projects that aim to reduce pregnancy-related illness and death in populations disproportionately impacted.

We congratulate Dr. Johnson on her continued success and work in the Flint community.