Assistant Professor
Department
Department of Health Behavior and Clinical Sciences
Contact
University of Michigan School of Nursing
400 North Ingalls Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482
Florence Johnson is not accepting new PhD students.
Interests
Dementia caregiving
Black caregiver mental health
Health disparities
Community support use
Policy
Dr. Florence Johnson is a dedicated nurse scientist whose research and practice focus on the intersection of caregiving, mental health, and health equity. With a specialized emphasis on dementia caregiving, Dr. Johnson investigates the unique challenges faced by Black caregivers, highlighting the mental health toll and systemic barriers they encounter. Her work illuminates the mental health disparities within this population, advocating for culturally responsive interventions. She actively examines health disparities, especially the impact of social determinants on care access and outcomes. Dr. Johnson promotes using community-based support systems to enhance caregiver resilience and well-being. Her policy-driven approach aims to influence healthcare reform, ensuring that marginalized and under-resourced communities receive equitable support and resources. Dr. Johnson is shaping a more inclusive and compassionate future for nursing and public health through her research, advocacy, and education.
Current Research Grants and Programs
Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease (MCCFAD), Research Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR), Research Scientist Enrichment Program, 2024-2025 (PI)
Teaching
Dr. Florence Johnson is an emerging nursing educator beginning her instructional role at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Her teaching will draw on extensive expertise in dementia caregiving, Black caregiver mental health, and health disparities. While she is new to this academic setting, Dr. Johnson brings a solid foundation in mentoring, community engagement, and policy-focused scholarship. She has led seminars and public health workshops and has supported student learning through research collaborations and community-based projects. Her instructional approach emphasizes culturally responsive care, critical inquiry, and integrating lived experiences into evidence-based practice. Dr. Johnson is committed to fostering inclusive, equity-driven learning environments that reflect UMSN’s leadership in nursing education and prepare students to become compassionate, socially conscious healthcare leaders.
Affilliations/Service
Member, Sigma Theta Tau, 2011-present
Member, Chi Eta Phi, 2022-present
Member, American Nurses Association, 2011-present
Member, Connecticut Nurses Association 2011-present
Notable Awards/Honors
PhD Dissertation Award, Gerontological Nursing Science Research and Implementation Interest Group (RIIG), Midwest Nursing Research Society, 2024
Ambassador, International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment Annual Conference, Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, 2022-2023
Excellence in Mentorship, Sigma Theta Tau, Rho Chapter, 2022
Education
PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 2023
MSN & MHA, University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ 2010
BSN, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 1990
Publications Highlights
Robinson-Lane, S.G., Johnson, F.U., Tuyisenge, M.J., Jackson, J., Qurashi, T., Tripathi, P., & Giordani, B. (2024). "It Isn't What I Had to Do, It's What I Get to Do": The experiences of Black family caregivers managing dementia. Journal of Family Nursing, 30(4), 304-316. doi: 10.1177/10748407241288606. PMID: 39427284; PMCID: PMC11624617.
Harris-Gersten, M.L., Johnson, F.U., Granner, J.R., & Hastings, S.N. (2023). “Welcome to Our World”: experiences of persons living with dementia prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBM Neurobiology, 7(3), 178 https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2303178.
Stamm, B., Wang, J., Mangus, C.W., Johnson, F., Marzolf, B., & Tipirneni, R. (2025). Challenges and policy considerations of the Medicaid unwinding for people with disabilities. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 40(10), 2404-2407. doi: 10.1007/s11606-024-09172-0.
Robinson-Lane, S., Leggett, A.N., Johnson, F.U., Leonard, N., Carmichael, A.G., Oxford, G., Miah, T., Wright, J., Blok, A.C., Iwashyna, T.J., & Gonzalez, R. (2022). Caregiving in the COVID-19 pandemic: Adaptations following an intensive care unit hospitalization. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 33(1), 203-214. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16560.
Liu, Y., Song, Y., Johnson, F.U., Lei, L., Choi, S., Antonucci, T.C., & Robinson-Lane, S.G. (2023). Characteristics and predictors of sleep among spousal dyads living with chronic conditions. Journal of Gerontology: Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 78(Suppl 1), S38-S47. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac096.
Robinson-Lane, S., Johnson, F., Leggett, A., Carmichael, A., Leonard, N., & Gonzalez, R. (2022). Unexpected caregiving: Life after a COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization. Innovation in Aging, 6(Suppl 1), 119. DOI:10.1093/geroni/igac059.474.