
Paula A. Johnson
14th President of Wellesley College
President Paula A. Johnson is a respected and passionate leader, deeply committed to women and to sustainably improving their lives. She is recognized internationally as an innovator who has brought her broad range of experience as a researcher, educator, and expert in health care, public health, and health policy to bear in the effort to…
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Full Bio
President Paula A. Johnson is a respected and passionate leader, deeply committed to women and to sustainably improving their lives. She is recognized internationally as an innovator who has brought her broad range of experience as a researcher, educator, and expert in health care, public health, and health policy to bear in the effort to advance the well-being of women.
Before coming to Wellesley, President Johnson founded and served as the inaugural executive director of the Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology as well as chief of the Division of Women’s Health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital—a Harvard teaching hospital and one of the world’s leading academic medical centers. Her vision for achieving sustainable improvement in women’s health is reflected in the Connors Center’s unique approach to all aspects of health throughout the lifespan. This model encompasses discovering how disease is expressed differently in women and men; integrating leading-edge research about women’s health into the delivery of care; influencing health policy; addressing the health of women globally; and developing the next generation of leaders in the field of women’s health through innovative interdisciplinary education and working successfully across complex systems.
A cardiologist, President Johnson was the Grayce A. Young Family Professor in Women’s Health at Harvard Medical School. (The endowed professorship was named in honor of her mother.) She was also professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her research has had an impact on women across the United States through its influence on health care reform. She also led the development of a case-based curriculum, which is influencing the development of emerging leaders seeking to improve the health of women globally.
President Johnson was elected to the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine), the nation’s leading advisory organization providing expertise on issues relating to biomedical science, medicine, and health. She has also been recognized as a national leader in medicine by the National Library of Medicine and has received numerous awards for her contributions to women’s health and public health. Her 2013 TED talk, “His and hers…healthcare,” which has had more than 1 million views, was recently named by TED as one of the “top 10 TED talks by women that everyone should watch,” and has helped raise awareness of the importance of sex differences to understanding women’s health.
Her vision, research, and ability to lead at the intersection of education, health care and public health have earned President Johnson key leadership roles in the local and national arenas, including the chair of the board of the Boston Public Health Commission, member of the National Institutes of Health Advisory Committee on Research on Women’s Health, and membership in numerous national and international boards and committees. She is a respected board leader, serving on numerous nonprofit boards, most recently including the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the newly formed Mary Christie Foundation, whose mission is to have an impact on policy focused on the health and wellness of students globally.
President Johnson attended Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, received her M.D. and M.P.H. degrees from Harvard, and trained in internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. A native of Brooklyn, New York, she and her husband have a son and a daughter and two Havanese puppies, Buddy and Hope.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
An Evening With Dr. Paula Johnson
Every Cell has a Sex
Global Women’s Health/Leadership
Leadership to Improve Women’s Health
Healthcare Reform and Affordable Care Act and Women’s Health
Videos
Paula Johnson: His and hers ... healthcare
Paula A. Johnson, Executive Director of the Connors Center for Women's Health
Books
News
Testimonials
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