As the chaplain at Emanuel Medical Center, Rev. Dr. Robert Johnson is used to focusing on the needs of the patients and staff who come through the hospital on a daily basis. Whether it’s a prayer for a quick recovery, consoling grieving family members or just a kind word to help comfort an anxious patient before a procedure, Johnson always puts others ahead of himself. His self-less dedication to his vocation was recognized recently by the Golden State Warriors.
The Turlock chaplain was named an Impact Warrior and was treated as a VIP during the Warriors’ Feb. 8 matchup against the Chicago Bulls. He was presented with his own Warriors jersey and recognized during an on-court ceremony.
“It was just amazing. It was an incredible thing,” said Johnson, who has been a Warriors fan since the days of Wilt Chamberlain. “I’m always reaching out for people and putting different things on the back burner. And then to be honored like that, I was like, wow, that was special.”
Johnson said that he has taken youth groups to games in the past, but being recognized on the court with his family and friends watching was a whole different experience.
“(My wife) said, ‘I am so proud of you,’” said Johnson. “Whenever your wife says something like that it just sticks into your heart.”
Johnson has been the chaplain at Emanuel Medical Center for the past 12 years. Originally from San Francisco, he lived in Kansas for almost a decade before moving back to California to take the chaplain position in Turlock.
“This hospital called and I came. It worked out perfectly. It was like God said this is where I want to put you to work, to put you into ministry. And I love it here,” he said.
Being the chaplain at a busy hospital isn’t for the faint of heart.
“You have to be flexible…life changes, literally, in a heartbeat. And so you have to notice, you have to have your eyes open and see things,” Johnson said.
In a typical day, Johnson said he might see three to four deaths and offer comfort and support to grieving families, then turn around and bless a newborn baby. He has also gained the trust of quite a few hospital employees, who go to him for solace and advice.
Johnson spends a lot of time offering comfort to patients and, as a five-time cancer survivor, he can share his own experiences as a reassurance. While Johnson is a Christian, he reaches out to all patients and will work as a liaison to connect them to their place of worship or faith while in the hospital.
“I tell them that I want to make sure they’re served, because I know what when they’re served spiritually, they’ll heal. And that’s the thing we’re trying to do,” he said.
Johnson and his wife are active in their local church and he is also a supporter of Turlock charities. In 2019, Johnson was a member of the last group of local leaders to participate in the Dancing With the Turlock Stars event that raised funds for Jessica’s House, The Salvation Army and Covenant Care at Home.
Despite battling prostate cancer at the time, Johnson endured months of practice and it paid off when he and his partner, Christina Rhoads (who was a nurse at the hospital, as well as a dancer), won the Style Icon award for their routine to “Hey Big Spender.”
Johnson said he was just grateful that he was physically able to perform and help raise funds for the local charities.
“One of the things that’s helped me to see the light in my own situation is to always find room for celebration. There’s always some light, even in the darkest of times.”
