Patricia "Pat" Johnson

We are truly saddened to share that A. Patricia Johnson (Pat), wife, mother, grandmother, former Chief Nursing Officer of the Wake Forest Baptist Medical System, and a nursing pioneer passed away on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

Pat was truly an inspiration to her family, friends and colleagues and worked tirelessly on behalf of a nursing profession she dearly loved. Pat brought the first Magnet designation to a North Carolina health system and was awarded a ‘Great 100 Nurse’ by a national organization, to name just a few of her professional accomplishments.

A graduate of Syracuse University, she also earned masters degrees at Seton Hall University and New York University. Pat’s professional journey included several leadership roles at prominent medical institutions including serving as the Dean & Vice President of Nursing at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield, New Jersey. Pat most recently served as a Magnet Appraiser helping to evaluate medical systems in their quest to achieve national nursing and care standards. Pat believed that nurses were the backbone of any medical institution and she fought to ensure they maintained an executive level seat ‘at the table’ in all the organizations that were privileged to benefit from her passion and energy.

Pat was much more than a leader in a profession she loved, she was also the dedicated wife to Thomas P. Johnson, having recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Tom was her life and love and they cared for each other through a life well lived together. She was the beloved mother of Wayne Johnson, Tori Velazquez, and Scott Johnson, who reside in Cary, North Carolina, Dover, New Hampshire and Winston Salem, North Carolina respectively.

Pat’s journey began in Jersey City, New Jersey and she considered herself a proud ‘Jersey girl’ even as she spent time in Connecticut and North Carolina. She was proudest of the moments that her kids shined and was a generous and loving grandmother to her five grandchildren. She loved the many moments over the years spent at the beach and wished for nothing more than an ocean in front of her, sand at her feet, a book, her husband and the rest of her family close by.

A service is planned for Wednesday, August 3rd at 11AM at the Holy Infant Catholic Church in Durham, North Carolina. A celebration of her life will take place after the church service to be held at the Maggiano's Restaurant, Southpoint, Durham, North Carolina.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BrownWynneCary.com for the Johnson family.