User:Phlebbie/Paula Johnson

Personal Life
Paula Johnson was born and raised in New York. She spoke to WGBH about her childhood: "I was very fortunate growing up in Brooklyn. I have one sister, and from a very early age my mother focused on us not only being well-educated, but also thinking independently.  I think that gave me the latitude to think differently about my college education.  I went to Harvard Radcliffe, which allowed me to really have my first introduction to women's health." Separately, she said the best piece of advice her mom gave her was to "find your voice and not let failure knock you down." Additionally, Paula had always been passionate about science as well as helping others, making a career in medicine ideal. Johnson resides in Wellesley, Massachusetts with her family. She is married to Robert Sands, a rheumatologist at Atrius Health of Harvard University and has a son who attended Harvard, a teenage daughter, and two Havanese dogs.

Education
Johnson's educational career began at Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn. She then attended Radcliffe College at Harvard University, where she majored in biology and graduated in 1980. Afterward, she attended Harvard Medical School. Developing an interest clinical epidemiology, she also studied at the Harvard School of Public Health. In 1985 she received her medical doctor's degree (M.D.) and a master's in public health (MPH) degrees from Harvard.