13 Questions with Janet Johnson, Coordinator of DKH Pastoral Care & Volunteer Services

You can regularly see Coordinator for Pastoral Care & Volunteer Services Janet Johnson zipping around Day Kimball Hospital making sure volunteer hospital escort services are running smoothly, the comfort cart volunteers visit inpatient rooms is fully stocked, and occasionally grabbing lunch at Hospitality Café. She’s been at Day Kimball Hospital for 20 years and had wanted to work here since she was a teenager, having applied at 16-years-old for her first job (that she didn’t get). 

However, patience won out and for the last two decades she’s changed positions twice, starting in community health tracking pediatric immunizations for Department of Public Health reporting for the first eight years. For the last 12 years working in Volunteer Services, she’s grown attached to the many community members who generously give of their time and talent. As she says, Day Kimball’s volunteers “become like family to each other and to me.” (You'll also see lots of blue coats - our uniform for volunteers - around the hospital as they share their hard work and heart with others.)

It probably helps that Janet is a local, growing up in Woodstock among chickens, pigs, a cow and Shelton pony. At Roseland Park as a child, she took swimming lessons, went fishing and enjoyed picnics, learned how to ride her bike and roller skate. As an adult she shared these traditions with her family as a parent. (Janet has two daughters Skye, 27 years old and Cassandra, 22 years old.) 

A little less obvious about her past is that during her employment at Rite Aide’s warehouse, she would not be left sitting at her administrative desk while others (the men) became licensed as fork lift drivers. Janet had one up on the men as she managed to earn her license and continue to drive while pregnant. She’s also a “Mrs. Fix-It” - apparently to the frustration of her hero husband.

Below are some more tidbits that even those who've worked with and known her for the past 20 years might not know:

1. I grew up in: North Woodstock, CT
2. Who’s on your playlist? I love lots of different genres of music. I listen to everything from Keith Urban and Luke Bryan to 70’s rock. 
3. What’s your favorite movie? The Sound of Music, Pretty Woman and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
4. What’s your favorite color? Purple
5. What was the last thing you read? True Colors by Kristin Hannah (also a fan of Jodie Piccoult)
6. Who is your hero? My husband (we celebrate 29 years together in September)
7. Pets or no pets? Yes! A German Shepherd named Maya and two Chihuahua’s named Koko and Tinkerbell. 
8. Name something on your bucket list. Visiting the Eiffel tower
9. What’s your “go-to” comfort food? Burgers and fries, ice cream is my biggest weakness
10. Smartphone, tablet or desktop? Smartphone
11. People would be surprised to know that: I received a forklift license while pregnant with my second child. 
12. What’s your current health focus? Keeping my weight under control and getting exercise! I also really try to eat organic foods as much as possible. 
13. What’s your favorite place in Northeast Connecticut? Roseland Park in Woodstock

 

Related Resources

Volunteer at DKH 
Patient and Family Support: Pastoral Care