Meet Terry Johnsson, One of Our Teammates Shaping Mission-Based Healthcare at Adventist Health

Terry Johnsson, Vice President for Community and Mission Integration for Adventist Health Oregon Network, 8 years with Adventist Health

When Terry Johnsson was 15, he liked a girl who worked as a candy-striper. “I decided to be a candy-striper so I could hang out with her,” Terry says. “As a result, I became the first male candy-striper at an Adventist Health hospital.”

He didn’t know it then, but Terry’s story at Adventist Health Portland was just beginning. Later in high school, he job-shadowed Beulah Stevens in the hospital chaplain’s office. When he returned to Portland as a youth pastor, Beulah encouraged him to pursue chaplaincy. When Terry went to Loma Linda University to complete a master’s degree, he also did chaplaincy training and became a licensed chaplain.

Now Terry’s role at Adventist Health Portland is twofold. First, he works to connect the hospitals with resources and partnerships in the community. Second, he ensures mission and spiritual care are integrated throughout the hospitals.

What is your best habit?
I love giving gifts. I’m the one in the office making sure everyone’s birthday is celebrated.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
My mom. She met a lady at a bus stop who told her about this place called Portland, Oregon, and that they were hiring people regardless of their color. On faith, Mom moved to Oregon in 1948, leaving Dad with the five kids. Within six months, she had a job, got a car and brought the entire family to Oregon. My mother is definitely my hero.

How do you unplug after a hard day?
Coming home to my wife and our 3-year-old boxer dog, Lucille Ball, brings me back to reality. Lucy brings lots of fun, and she forces me to exercise because I have to walk her. I also enjoy riding motorcycles. I get on my motorcycle on a Sunday and hit some country roads, and it’s just a beautiful experience.

Do you have a favorite book or podcast?
My favorite book is The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. I was flunking English class at Portland Adventist Academy, but my teacher, Thelma Winters, saw potential in me. She said, “Terry, I’m going to give you a book to read, and I want you to write a report after every chapter.” That book changed my life.

What advice would you give your younger self?
Never give up. Just keep moving forward.

What do you do when you’re creatively stuck?
My leadership style is like King Arthur and The Round Table. If we can’t figure something out, I bring in people, sit around a table, bounce around ideas and say, “We’re not leaving here until we think of a creative way to deal with this.”

What one word describes your experience at Adventist Health?
Hope, because that’s what we deliver. The mere fact that a person came to a hospital shows there’s some bit of hope that their situation is going to change.

Do you have a favorite Bible character?
Blind Bartimaeus. When everyone was telling him to give up and not bother Jesus, Scripture says he cried all the more. Bartimaeus never gave up until he received his blessings.

What motivates you?
Remembering that every day of life is a gift. Even on our worst days, patients who are dying would do anything to change places with you or me.

Explore opportunities to join the Adventist Health team at AdventistHealth.org/careers.

Read more inspiring stories about the Adventist Health team:
Meet Adam Lee
Meet Chris Hagen
Meet Haley Pacholec
Meet Jasmin Huila Flores
Meet Jesse Seibel
Meet Larry Hamilton
Meet Selene Castilla
Meet Treshawna (Tre) Turner