Nathalie Johnson, MD, Installed as the Society’s 25th President

Nathalie Johnson, MD, of Oregon began her term as the Society’s 25th President on April 8, 2022.The official transition of leadership from Dr. Julie Margenthaler to Dr. Johnson took place at the Society’s business meeting held in conjunction with the Society’s 23rd Annual Meeting.

Prior to becoming president, Dr. Johnson served as a member of the Society’s board of directors from 2016-2019 and again from 2021-present. She has also served on the Oregon Medical Board and was one of the first at large members elected to the American Board of Surgery where she continues to serve as a senior examiner.

Dr. Johnson is currently Medical Director of the Legacy Health Systems Cancer Institute and the Legacy Breast Health centers in Portland, Oregon. Her passion to care for others took her to Howard University in Washington DC where she obtained a bachelors degree in radiation therapy technology. She went on to matriculate at the Medical College of Virginia, now VCU, in Richmond and completed her residency in general surgery at Los Angeles County- University of Southern California. She returned home to the St Thomas at the behest of the Governor and spent a brief time in the Virgin Islands serving as the Commissioner of Health for the territory.

She was recruited to Oregon to join the medical staff at Good Samaritan to help organize and development of breast health centers and to advance the care of cancer patients. She pioneered the introduction and training of surgeons in Oregon on sentinel node biopsies and has continued to model innovative breast cancer care prompting her to be receive the prestigious Oregon History Maker award. Being raised by parents from humble beginnings who challenged her to see a bigger world, and to extend love, she has a passion to make access to excellent affordable and equitable health care possible for all. She believes with dedication, ingenuity and focus we can make this a reality.