Provost Sandra Johnson received the Daily Record Woman Lawyer of the Year award last Thursday at the Fourth Annual Women’s Justice Awards. These awards recognize women lawyers and citizens who are making an impact on Missouri’s judicial system.

“[Johnson] has moved this state and country and the medical and legal professions light years forward in pain management, end-of-life decisions and the treatment of the elderly in long-term care,” said Doreen D. Dodson in her introduction of Johnson.

The Woman Lawyer of the Year Award is presented to a woman lawyer who has compiled an enviable record of achievement as an attorney and who has given her time and energy to strengthen the effectiveness of the American judicial system, describes the award-nomination form.

“I feel very honored, privileged and happy to receive this award,” Johnson said. She said the award differs from others, as it is from the legal community and recognizes her impact on the legal profession.

Dodson described Johnson’s achievements particularly in the areas of pain management. “Her tireless work, writing, research and leadership in that area have wrought enormous changes in medical treatment, in comfort care and the law,” Dodson said.

Dodson summarized Johnson as a “role model for other women, a person who has helped change the law for good, and who, in doing so, has met the highest aspirations of our profession.”

Johnson, who has served as provost for four years, has a long history with Saint Louis University. She received her bachelor’s degree from SLU in 1973, and returned in 1978 to serve on the faculty. She now holds faculty appointments in the School of Medicine, School of Public Health and School of Law. She is the inaugural holder of the Tenet Endowed Chair in Health Law and Ethics.

At SLU, Johnson continues to teach while serving as provost. Next spring she will teach bio-ethics and law in the School of Law.