Alumna Kelly Johnson recognized for leadership in health and wellness
USask nursing alumna Kelly Johnson’s compassionate, mentorship-driven career has earned her a 2026 YWCA Women of Distinction Award.
When Kelly Johnson (BSN’96, MN’05) reflects on her path into nursing, she traces it back to a deeply personal moment, one that would shape a career defined by compassion, mentorship, and leadership.
“I didn’t grow up wanting to be a nurse,” said Johnson.
“It was after watching the home care and palliative care nurses with my mom during her illness I decided to change my career path.”
Witnessing the care those nurses brought to her family left a lasting impression, one that inspired her to pursue nursing herself.
“I wanted to go into nursing and help individuals the way those nurses supported our family.”
Although Johnson initially envisioned a career in home care, her professional path quickly evolved after graduating from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing.
“My full intent was to do home care nursing,” said Johnson. “But after graduation and working in that area for a while, I realized I liked the adrenaline and faster pace of the hospital environment.”
Rather than pointing to a single defining moment, Johnson describes her career as a collection of meaningful experiences, small, but powerful interactions that have reinforced her commitment to the profession.
Many of those moments include teamwork that defines nursing practice.
“When you need help and your peers come running.”
Others take place at the bedside.
“When you hold the hand of a patient who is dying and provide comfort,” she said.
“Or when you discharge a patient who experienced tragedy, but is given a second chance at life.”
Equally meaningful are the moments she has spent teaching and mentoring future nurses.
“When you see the light in a student’s eyes when they accomplish something,” said Johnson, reflecting on the impact of guiding the next generation of registered nurses.
Together, these experiences, spanning decades of practice, education, and mentorship, have shaped her career and earned Johnson the 2026 YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Health and Wellness.
“It is very humbling to receive this award,” she said.
“But also, to be nominated by people whom I admire, respect, and work with every day – it’s priceless.”
For Johnson, the recognition strengthens the values that have guided her career.
“From a professional lens, it reinforces for me the importance of leaving things better than we found them and to challenge the next generation to learn, grow, and lead.”
She offered words of encouragement for future and current USask Nursing students.
“Nursing is an amazing profession – it’s exciting and challenging all at the same time. It will also take you more places than you can imagine.”