With a distinguished career devoted to education, research and clinical care of patients, Johnson has been selected for a rare honor from the American Diabetes Association.

She is the third person in the association’s history chosen for a Behavioral Medicine and Psychology Lectureship for Distinguished Contributions.

The honor is limited to behavioral researchers with outstanding achievement or innovative contributions that have led to advances in the study and understanding of behavioral aspects of living with diabetes and its prevention and treatment, according to the ADA.

Part of the honor includes presenting a symposium lecture at the 2007 ADA annual meeting in Chicago in June. In addition, Johnson will lead interest group discussion during scientific sessions at the meeting.

“Suzanne is the consummate triple threat, a disappearing species able to excel in all three disciplines of education, clinical care and research,’’ Dr. Desmond Schatz, medical director of the University of Florida Health Science Center diabetes center, wrote in supporting Johnson for the award.

“She has the unique ability to balance her full-time commitment to her trainees, patients and their families with her intensive research involvement.’’

Tallahassee pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Larry Deeb, who works with Johnson on a comprehensive diabetes research project funded by the National Institutes of Health, recently was elected president of the ADA.

Deeb is a clinical professor at the College of Medicine and is expected to introduce Johnson in Chicago.
Dr. Ocie Harris, dean of the College of Medicine, describes the honor as a tremendous achievement.

“It’s a well-deserved recognition for her many contributions, not the least of which is an ability to share her knowledge and experiences with our students,’’ Harris said.