By Lisa Carolin
For more than 30 years, Will Johnson worked in health care administration, 23 of those as president and chief executive officer of Chelsea Community Hospital.
He shares an important history with Chelsea, and now he’s told some of that history in the form of stories and photographs in his book Musings and Memories.
Johnson talked about the book at a gathering at the Chelsea District Library on April 16.
He also introduced Michelle Massey Barnes, who helped him with the book and its photographs.
“This is a collection of stories that Will poured his heart into and that he wanted to share to make the community a better place,” said Massey Barnes. “There are funny stories, sad stories, and a range and depth of emotion that will take you through the history of Chelsea.”
Johnson explained that he never intended to write a book himself, but rather to hire a writer, which didn’t work out. He shared one of the key events in his life that made him think about writing a book.
“It was a June morning in 1982, and I got a call and was asked, ‘Do you trust me?’” said Johnson. “It was Dr. Irving Feller, a Sylvan Township resident, and a world renown burn surgeon. There had been an explosion at the SC Johnson Wax factory outside of Lagos, Nigeria, and there were no primary burn care centers.”
Johnson explained that some patients were brought to the U.S. and eventually 16 burn victims were brought for treatment to Chelsea.
“So many people came from our community to have meals with the patients,” said Johnson. “That’s what got me started.”
Among the topics Johnson addressed was the large percentage of women employees at Chelsea Hospital under his tutelage. Eighty-six percent of the employees were women in the late 1970s, which led to Johnson and his staff redesigning the way things were run. The hospital began offering child care as well as a job-sharing program.
“We had a fitness center so people could work out,” said Johnson. “We had virtually no turnover. It was self-serving in that it kept our costs down, kept people together, and we had no recruiting costs.”
For many years, Johnson explained, both the University of Michigan Hospital and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, unsuccessfully tried to buy Chelsea Hospital.
“We tried to maintain a single access to the entire health care system in the county,” said Johnson. “When you came down our driveway, whatever your need was, we’d take care of you. If we didn’t have that ability, we sent you to St. Joe’s or the University of Michigan Hospital.”
Johnson displayed a great ability to recall names and stories and asked those in attendance at the library for their input. People shared memories about employees and stories, like the time two deer jumped through the window of an unoccupied room in intensive care one Saturday morning, and the family of ducks that resided on the grounds.
People praised Johnson for offering hospital care for those with mental health issues as well as substance abuse before most hospitals did so. They also praised him for offering only private rooms.
His reaction to his daughter Melissa Johnson being the mayor of Chelsea: “I am transitioning. Now I’m the mayor’s father.”
Where can one get the book? The Chelsea District Library. Otherwise, the book is not for sale.
“For people who donate $1,000 to one of the smaller charities in the area that don’t have a huge fundraising capacity, I will sign a book,” said Johnson, who has given copies of the book to the 125 students who received scholarships from him. “I never wanted to make it for sale. It’s a gift to the community.”
What a treasure for this community! I look forward to reading Dr. Johnson’s book.