Unity Health
Unity Health
As vice president of patient services at Unity Health in Searcy, LaDonna Johnston said she strives to live both her personal and professional lives by the Golden Rule of treating others how you want to be treated. This mantra is the cornerstone of her career as she seeks to make patients the first priority in all endeavors at Unity Health.
“I want our patients to receive the highest-quality care in this facility, and I want our associates to also be a part of the mission by equipping them with the tools they need to provide patients with the very best service,” she said.
She began her career at the hospital as a candy-striper in high school and joined the staff at White County Memorial Hospital in 1987 as a monitor technician, certified nursing assistant and hospital unit coordinator while studying at Harding University. She continued her employment after graduating in 1989 and later completed a master’s degree in nursing science at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.
“I feel we are called to help one another,” she said. “In nursing, our top priority is to help the patient, but next is helping each other. It is the building of relationships that makes you stay in this business.”
Johnston manages day-to-day operations of patient care. Seven departments within the hospital report to her directly, and she ultimately oversees all of nursing. Her other projects include strategic planning and introducing new programs or services.
“It’s like herding cats,” she added, “but I love cats!”