Dr. Tim Johnson is this year’s honoree as “Washtenaw Distinguished Citizen”. The presentation event will be at Barton Hills Country Club on November 16 hosted by the local council of Scouts/BSA. This award is intended to recognize a lifetime of giving back to the local Ann Arbor community through community service and selflessness. Tim is a recipient of Rotary’s Distinguished Service Award and served in our club for 13 years.
Tim has served on the boards of the Ann Arbor Art Center, the University Musical Society, Safe House, and Planned Parenthood. He was Council President for Southern Shores Council, BSA and currently serves as State Chair for the National Eagle Scout Association.
Tim was an undergrad student at U-M in the ’60s completing his MD at Johns Hopkins University. He returned to Michigan Medicine in 1993 as a named professor and endowed chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. During his leadership of the department, faculty and researchers more than tripled. The department was un-ranked at his time of arrival and is now ranked #3 in the country.
During his career Tim was instrumental in creating the in country Ob/Gyn residency program for Ghana. Prior to his initiatives, Ghanaian Ob/Gyn doctors had to leave their country to complete their residency requirement. Most did not return due to offers from where they studied or other countries. Since establishing the in country residency program, most now stay in Ghana. Ghana’s Family Health Hospital and Medical School in 2015 named their library after him.
Prior Washtenaw Distinguished Citizen honorees who are also RCAA members include: Joe Diederich, Mary Steffek-Blaske, Jim Irwin, Deanna Relyea, Ken Fischer, Ingrid Sheldon, and former members Joe and Beth Fitzsimmons.
