Emmett Raymond Johnson, former president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Baptist Health System (BHS) in Birmingham, died Jan. 31. He was 82.
A Texas native, Johnson graduated from North Texas State College (now the University of North Texas) in Denton in 1949 and earned a master’s degree in hospital administration from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 1952. Samford University in Birmingham awarded him a doctorate in 1984.
He assumed the role of BHS president and CEO in 1975. During his 19-year tenure, Johnson helped organize new hospital networks, turned $47 million in assets into $500 million in assets and created a mission statement that focused on the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
At the time of his death, Johnson was a member of Mountain Brook Baptist Church, where he served as a life deacon. He served as chairman of the board of deacons in 1979 and taught a men’s Bible study class at Mountain Brook Baptist.
Johnson is survived by his wife of 60 years, Anna Belle; two children; and one grandchild. (TAB)
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