Lillian Johnson

What are you most proud of about your work at HMS/HSDM?
Being named the 2012 recipient of the Dolores J Brown Staff Award. The candidates for the award had to meet the following criteria:

• Have a record of outstanding service to his/her position, colleagues and the school;
• Demonstrate respect for HMS and its mission;
• Help to create a welcoming, friendly and inclusive work environment

It was humbling and emotional to be nominated by students, peers and managers.

What unique skills/or talents do you bring to your job?
l am a natural caretaker and have been for as long as I can remember. The desire to help, "take care" of people is part of what I do. I want people to feel that when they leave the office, they were listened to, validated and received the care and attention they needed.
What is the significance of the object you brought to the photo shoot? The picture that I'm holding is of my mother, Juanita, who left me far too young at the age of 56. We were very close and spent a lot of time together. I loved listening to her stories and her pearls of wisdom. She is the reason I am the person I am today. My mother was a wise, kind, caring, giving, and compassionate woman and I believe she passed on those qualities to me. She would always tell me that she would never leave me until she knew I could take care of myself. I believe she is looking down on me from heaven to say, "Job well done".