Tribute to Women: Sue Johnson
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photo by shane darby.
“Becoming a leader gave me the opportunity to directly support others’ success and make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.”
Sue Johnson recently retired from CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System after an illustrious career of over 50 years. In 1974, she moved to Texarkana and began working as a registered nurse in the emergency department. Over the proceeding five decades, she served in various departments: home health and hospice, the “Spirit of St. Michael” mobile clinic, clinic development, the W. Temple Webber Cancer Center, and most recently the advocacy and community planning department, of which she was the director.
From a young age, Sue wanted to be a nurse, driven by her “passion of caring for others,” she said. As she grew into adulthood, she became further inspired by the dogged pioneer Florence Nightingale. “She set the standard for modern nursing through compassion and commitment to patient care,” Sue said. “I love her quote: ‘I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.’”
As her career progressed, Sue stepped naturally into leadership roles, mentoring other healthcare professionals and serving in new ways. “I have always been driven to learn new skills and expand my knowledge,” she said as explanation for her ambition. “Becoming a leader gave me the opportunity to directly support others’ success and make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.” Over the course of her career, Sue has played an active role in the CHRISTUS St. Michael Foundation Gala, the Wild About Wellness Children’s Health Fair, and the Texas Mission for Mercy Mobile Dental Clinic.
In March 2025, Sue was honored for her 50 years of service at CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System. submitted photo.
This year, Sue celebrates not only her retirement from an extensive career but also 16 years of cancer survivorship. In 2009, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the treatment of which required surgery, radiation, and medication. She persevered through the experience thanks to “tremendous family support—my husband was with me every step of the journey,” she said, before also crediting her “positive attitude and outlook, and a strong faith in God.”
Sue is an Arkansan through and through. She was born in Monticello, but when she was young, her family moved “every few years,” she said, as her father advanced his teaching career. She is an alumna of the University of Arkansas–Monticello, and she served on the Texarkana, Arkansas, Board of Directors for 20 years, from 1996 until 2016. She and her husband, Steve, own a farm near Old Washington, where she loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, preferably outdoors: Sue is an avid hunter, angler, and gardener.
FSLM ASKED SUE:
What’s something most people don’t know about you? I hunt whitetail deer. I have harvested over 100 deer since I started hunting.
What’s your favorite local place to spend time? 82 Eats or Pop’s Place
If you could speak one sentence of wisdom to your past self, what would it be? Embrace challenges and change. Perfection isn’t the goal, but growth and resilience are.
HOW JENNI HEDRICK SEES SUE:
“Sue Johnson was assigned to be my mentor in the RISE CHRISTUS Mentorship Program. At the time, I had just started as the clinical director of labor and delivery. It was one of the busiest years in our work, but I cherished each conversation, instruction, and piece of advice she gave me. I value the time that was spent with Sue and know that she is in my corner rooting for me. This year we celebrated her 50 years of service at St. Michael, her retirement, and her legacy in the profession of nursing. Sue has touched every department at St. Michael, from working as a nurse or being instrumental in getting [a department] started from the ground up. Sue is compassionate, kind, and has a heart for service which she pours into each person at her work and in our community. Thank you, Sue, for being a mentor to all of us.”