Lavonne Johnston, MHS, PA-C is a master’s degree level Nationally Certified Physician’s Assistant who has worked in many areas of clinical medicine including children’s Bone Marrow Transplant, Occupational Health, Urgent Care medicine, and, most recently, Gastroenterology.

Mrs. Johnston has also worked in the Healthcare Management arena of Research and Development as she consulted as a research assistant for a new medical device development, writing protocols and journal articles, and attending to patients and their data during this research.

Lavonne considers it a privilege to teach in the LBC Healthcare Management (HCM) program, as her passion has been to integrate excellence in medical care with the caring compassion of Christ. As she has served many patients and worked with colleagues in the realm of healthcare, she has sensed it as a ministry – one in which Christ is on the side of those who are attempting to relieve suffering. It is a sacred calling to walk toward the hurting and to meet them there not only with up-to-date medical care that eases pain, but with the love and compassion of Christ that many notice and need, sometimes more than the care itself. She hopes to communicate this healthcare ministry sense to the HCM students as they learn that all they will do in HCM is ultimately for suffering people, and the Lord will be with them in it.

Mrs. Johnston and her husband, a gastroenterologist, are active in medical missions and church planting in Albania where they travel regularly. They have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren.

In her free time, Lavonne loves to travel, hike (on a quest to hike all U.S. National Parks!), mentor and read.

Education:

Master of Science in Health Sciences, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington D.C.

BS Health Sciences and Physician Assistant Certification, 1983. Hahnemann University (Currently Drexel Univ), Physician Assistant Program, Philadelphia, PA.

BS Biology, 1987, Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY.

Physician Assistant Certification maintained 1983-present. NCCPA Certificate Number 84759.

Courses Taught:

Introduction to Health Sciences, HCM105, traditional and online

Publications/Creative Works:

Journals:
Cash BD, Johnston LR, Johnston MH. Cryospray ablation (CSA) in the palliative treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2007; 5(3):1477-78

Abstracts:
Johnston MH, Cash BD, Horwhat JD, Johnston LR, Dykes CA, Mays HS. Cryoablation of Barrett’s
Esophagus (BE). Gastroenterology 2006;130(4, Suppl. 2):A640

Johnston MH, Cash BD, Dykes CA, Mays HS, Johnston LR. Cryoablation of Dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) and Early Stage Esophageal Cancer. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy- 2006;04 (Vol. 63, Issue 5)

Johnston LR, Johnston MH. Cryo Spray Ablation (CSA) in the Esophagus: Optimization of Dosimetry. Am J Gastro 2006;101:S532

Verse:

Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.