Dan Johnson, Catholic Eldercare President & CEO, Receives Top Leadership Award

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Jodi Boyne

Dan Johnson, President and CEO, Catholic Eldercare, received the Kal Michaels Outstanding Leadership Award at the Institute & Expo earlier this month. 

The award recognizes a leader in older adult services who has provided excellent leadership to their staff and organization, enhances the quality of life for the residents in the community, and provides exceptional community service. 

“Dan’s commitment to insuring needed supportive services for our community’s older adults is demonstrated by the strategic evolution of Catholic Eldercare into a community-centered continuum of aging services,” said Mary Broderick, PhD, RN and Health Professions Education Specialist. “Dan is a collaborative leader who recognizes the critical importance of teamwork in providing health care and housing services to a vulnerable client population in partnership with families, health professionals and the community.” 

Johnson has led significant initiatives at Catholic Eldercare to facilitate a more coordinated approach to quality care and expand the organization’s capacity to better serve the needs of older adults in the community, including expanded therapy services and a 40,000 square foot addition and remodel to the main campus that includes a new Adult Day Services area and a new transitional care unit. Additionally, a new 69-unit independent living building is in the works to provide affordable age-restricted housing in a neighborhood that has seen a surge in population among developers and renters. 

Recognizing the value of socialization to the well-being of older adults, Johnson helped create an award-winning community engagement program called Northeast Neighborhood Socials that brought together at-risk older adults for a series of weekly group meetings centered around Social Circles. The Social Circles allowed area residents to discuss their lives and relationships within the Northeast Minneapolis community. The program has since been distributed to other organizations including the Twin Cities United Way, Catholic Charities and the Hennepin County Community Health Improvement Partnership. 

“All too often we do not recognize those who truly give the extra effort of excellence and lead by deeds, not words. Dan Johnson has earned the right to be honored for his successful leadership at Catholic Eldercare,” said Michael Rainville Sr., resident and 30-year board member fo St. Anthony West neighborhood. 

For more information, watch Dan Johnson – 2018 Kal Michaels Leadership Award.