William Johnson receives Varnell Leadership Award

CLEVELAND, Tenn., (Jan. 22, 2008)—Dr. William F. Johnson II, general surgeon with Surgical Associates of Cleveland, received the Robert W. Varnell Jr. Leadership Award during special ceremonies at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce. The meeting convened Tuesday, Jan. 22, in the Professional Development Center of Life Care Centers of America.

            Named for the late Robert W. Varnell Jr., the prestigious award recognizes outstanding community leadership.

            Nominators describe the 2008 Varnell Award recipient as “steadfast and true” and “committed to generous service to others.”

            “After a raucous period of high school pranks with delightful co-conspirators Robert Varnell and Ronald Hines, Bill Johnson matured, matriculated and settled in nicely as a surgeon in Cleveland,” Dr. Ed Duncan, Cleveland Eye Clinic, said.  

            According to nominator Jim Workman, owner of Bender Realty, the recipient, who has lived in Cleveland more than 53 years, began his medical practice here in 1976. He has served as chief of staff and chief of surgery for Bradley Memorial Hospital. He continues to serve in a quality assurance position for credentialing at SkyRidge Medical Center and works with hospital management to ensure high standards of hospital and emergency care.

            Dr. Johnson is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in good standing. In addition to upholding high standards in his surgical practice, he also returns to the student role several times a year for study and practice.

            “As a leader in the medical community,” Duncan noted, “he is fair, objective, credible and skilled in all aspects of medical/surgical care.”

            Described as having a “stellar bedside manner,” Dr. Johnson has a compassionate heart for the disenfranchised people both locally and far beyond the borders of our community.

            He serves as a primary physician for the Good Samaritan Clinic, which offers free healthcare care to the indigent in Cleveland/Bradley County. Dr. Johnson has also done surgical mission work in Sula, Honduras, operating on many indigent patients free of charge.

            In conjunction with the mission outreach of Broad Street United Methodist Church, the local surgeon has led distant mission trips with his wife for more than 20 years. He helped establish a clinic for the Maya Indian population of Comancha, Guatemala, and also helped with the relocating and building of a new facility for the orphanage in Lemoa, Guatemala.

            He teamed with the Iglesia de Reformada, in Festritrah, Honduras, to build two churches, one with a clinic, in Morazan and el Negrito, Honduras.

            “I most admire Bill for his dedication and skill in organizing repeated medical missions to South American countries,” Lee Stewart, president of Southern Heritage Bank and friend of the recipient for 15 years. “His name is an excellent addition to the list of businesspeople who most exemplify the true spirit of Robert Varnell.”

            An active member of Broad Street United Methodist Church all his life, Dr. Johnson’s service to his church includes a diversity of activities. He serves on the Church Council, sings and plays guitar for the contemporary worship service, sings in the chancel choir for the traditional service, serves on church growth committees, and teaches the Triplett Sunday school class.

            “I know Dr. Johnson to be outstanding in his service to his profession, his community, and to his family and his church,” said Broad Street member Bob Sain, who has known the recipient for 28 years. “A number of years ago, he formed a group of volunteers from our church called Helping Hands. With Dr. Johnson as their leader, they work on odd-job repairs for low-income families.”

            Dr. Johnson also chaired the Johnston Woods Building Committee that planned and built the Hurt Retreat Center lodge and other buildings on the Johnston Woods property off South Lee Highway. He is a member of the Unity Board, an after-school program serving East Cleveland.

            The local physician was a founding member of the Cleveland Emmaus Community, an interdenominational religious organization of the United Methodist Church; and a founding member of Bradley Initiative for Church and Community (BICC).

            The Varnell Award also recognizes community service. Johnson has held or holds membership in the Civitan Club and Elks Lodge, United Way of Bradley County fundraising, Cleveland Family YMCA Board of Directors, Cleveland Country Club, Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, Museum Center at 5ive Points, and Business Roundtable. He also supports the Cleveland Community Concert Series.

            Along with other physicians in his office, he provides services as a team physician for Cleveland and Bradley Central High Schools and may be seen on the sidelines at Friday night games.

            A dedicated father to his three children and their families, Johnson and his wife, Jackie, are also loving surrogate parents to a bright young Honduran, Kattia Gabriella Ruiz, who was brought to this community for congenital heart defect repair at age 14 months.

            “Dr. Johnson has always remained faithful to the example established by his parents and his Lord, demonstrating the highest moral, ethical and leadership standards,” Dr. Rodney Fitzgerald stated. “He is passionate about making the lives of others better.”

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