Spotlight on Dr. Clarissa Johnson
When asked "What's something you enjoy doing outside of work?" hematologist Clarissa Johnson, M.D., quickly answered, "Gardening." When you look at the life and work of Dr. Johnson, it's easy to see the parallels between this pastime and the path she's taken.
When asked "What's something you enjoy doing outside of work?" hematologist Clarissa Johnson, M.D., quickly answered, "Gardening." When you look at the life and work of Dr. Johnson, it's easy to see the parallels between this pastime and the path she's taken.
At a young age, Dr. Johnson had a passion for reading, which was a fertile ground on which her desire to learn would flourish. By the time junior high rolled around, her favorite reading topics had found a new focus.
"I was just drawn to the subject of diseases...any and all diseases. Even reading fictional books about diseases, like leukemia and lupus, fascinated me." Dr. Johnson said.
Coupling this wish to learn as much as possible with a love for kids, the natural next step would be to pursue becoming a doctor. As she progressed through college, hematology and oncology emerged as the right path for her, which then led to specializing in sickle cell.