Today we’d like to introduce you to Khaliah Johnson.
Hi Khaliah , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began life as a bright, curious, and creative girl in Brooklyn, NY. My African-American and Caribbean roots grounded me, as did the color, diversity, and energetic pulse of New York City. My family of origin had a strong orientation toward social justice and community connection, so I always have had a compass toward giving back and serving others. My father raised me to take great pride in my connection to the Black Diaspora and my mother encouraged me to move through the world with grace and authenticity no matter what challenges might come by way. These values served me as I navigated my pursuits of a career in medicine throughout my 20’s and 30’s. These pursuits lead me to adventures on the West Coast, in the Northeast and even in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. I now am a pediatrician practicing in Atlanta, serving children and families facing serious illness in one of the most diverse cities in the country. My experiences training in palliative care, leading the pediatric palliative care program at one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country, engaging in global health work, and advocating for social justice and health equity give me a unique perspective on life, service, and community. Creative expression through writing and aerial arts as well as joyfully mothering my 9 year old boy as a single parent add irreplaceable meaning and light to my life, and I am so grateful draw upon the rich tapestry of Atlanta to support all of who I am as a woman at this juncture of life. I am engaging in film and media more as a platform for my values and authenticity…and I am loving every second of it!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road. As a fiercely intelligent Black woman with her eyes on the prize, it is easy to be misunderstood and or to be stifled by others’ expectations of you. How you should behave, perform, or show up. The weight of discrimination and prejudice can show up in so many aspects of life. My up-bringing, core values, and strong community of support in friends and family has bolstered me to stay the course and rise above these difficulties. Additionally, though empowered professionally and being blessed to provide for my family, parenting alone presents unique challenges. I give thanks for how my son is thriving and truly have lived to know that “it takes a village to raise a child.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a board-certified pediatrician and palliative care provider. I direct the pediatric palliative care program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, which provides unique, supportive, interdisciplinary care to children and families facing serious illness throughout the state of Georgia. The heart of what we do is to comfort and support patients and families as they are moving through some of the most challenging periods of their lives. I am so proud of my team at Children’s and the difference we make in caring for those who need us most, each and every day. In addition, I provide palliative care services within the Grady Ponce de Leon Center to children, adolescents, and young adults living with HIV. Serving as an advocate for health equity and social justice in the care I provide for my patients at Ponce means so much to me. I wrote an op-ed on my work in the AJC back in 2023. I teach and engage in health equity research within my role as associate professor at Emory’s School of Medicine. I love what I do professionally but also am so proud to live fully into all of my life; I make time for art, creative expression, and service work outside of the hospital (I have founded a non-profit initiative in rural Kenya called “We are Wendo”- www.wearewendo.com). I have been spreading my wings more and engaging in film and media, without hesitation to show the fullness of this life I have been so blessed with (I was featured on a reality show on Bravo recently, and also on Fox5Atlanta). I believe by living authentically and showing up in joy each and every day, I am role modeling for young physicians, single mothers, and professional women something I am reminded of every day in my work with patients…life is precious and short. Therefore we should make the most of it.
What matters most to you?
Family, faith, healing and creative expression. My family and my faith are anchors for everything I do in life; there is no me apart from God and my family. I love being a mother and am so thankful to have the opportunity to make the world a better place through the raising of my son. Healing is a journey; I have lived through some tough moments in life and in relationships, as everyone has. By being intentional in how I attend to my own mental, emotional, and spiritual healing, I can show up as a better healer myself in the work I do each and every day. I am a creative by nature…any opportunity that I have to share beauty and joy with the world through my own unique self-expression, I relish in it. I believe we were all made to create something, and I’m grateful for the unique imprint I will leave in the world through my writing, service work, and film/media engagement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://khaliahjohnsonmd.com/
- Instagram: @drkhaliah
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaliah-a-johnson-md-a2924619/
Image Credits
SK Photography for doctor, writer, and headshot photo
Ron Hill Photography for photo on block
Tasnia Malek for photo with son
