Johnson named Director of Creighton University at Highlander

Creighton University School of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of LaShaune Johnson, PhD, as the new Director of Creighton University at Highlander. Dr. Johnson is a highly regarded public health researcher and community advocate for the Highlander community and North Omaha. 

The Creighton University at Highlander space is aimed at culturally responsive, inclusive and equitable community engagement and partnership. Creighton demonstrates its commitment to the North Omaha and specifically the Highlander community by coordinating and providing resources, knowledge and guidance. Creighton University at Highlander is dedicated to learning with, and from, the Highlander community, and as a result, its programming focuses on addressing issues of community well-being. Examples of Creighton programs held at the Highlander include general education programs, the Financial Hope Collaborative, the Juvenile Justice Clinic program and other meetings to support community partners. 

Creighton at Highlander will be in excellent hands with Dr. Johnson at its helm. Dr. Johnson is an associate professor in the Department of Clinical Research and Public Health in the School of Medicine. Her research and publications have focused on culturally responsive evaluation, arts-based and participatory research/evaluation methods, Black experience across the cancer continuum, chronic disparities among minority seniors and Black mental health stigma. 

Some of her specific accomplishments at Creighton at Highlander include:   

• Nobility Point "office hours" for health education to African American seniors at the Nobility Point apartments
• Health education events with Catholic Charities' "Sazzy Seniors" community group
• Led the Creighton Highlander community needs assessment
• Co-created the community engagement training at Highlander that featured Samia Gamie
• Co-created the HERstory event
• Co-organizer of the first Highlander Health Disparities art contest

Interim Creighton University at Highlander Director Cindy Costanzo, MS, PhD, says it perfectly:  

“As Interim Director of the Highlander since 2018, I have been fortunate to work closely with Dr. Johnson. She is a true scholar in community engagement, an expert in EDI program development and a strong collaborator. Dr. Johnson has focused on building relationships with the North Omaha community through authenticity, valuing the importance of trust and having a true love and passion for public health as a sociologist. I have valued my time working with her and know she will continue to be a great leader for Creighton University at Highlander.”