Kennedy Krieger Institute recently received $100,000 in memory of Dr. Michael V. Johnston, former chief medical officer and pediatric neurologist, who played a pivotal role in shaping the clinical and scientific mission of the Institute.
On Jan. 30, on what would have been Dr. Johnston’s 77th birthday, his wife Sally Johnston presented the Institute with a check for $100,000 to support the Michael V. Johnston Center for Developmental Neuroscience. This gift will help advance the work that Dr. Johnston started and has been continued by other scientists at the Institute.
“Of all the various aspects of his career, there were two things Mike loved the most, his research and mentoring others,” Ms. Johnston said. “In giving this gift we hope it will be used to support research efforts at Kennedy Krieger, especially those of young and upcoming scientists who are the future of pediatric neurology.”
Dr. Johnston passed away in July 2022.
A graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Johnston held clinical and research appointments at the University of Michigan before he came to the Institute in 1988 to help medical and research efforts. During his time at Kennedy Krieger, he trained thousands of pediatric neurologists and neurodevelopmental pediatricians. He was a role model for integrating research and clinical medicine, thus driving forward the knowledge necessary to developing new therapies and treatments and effectively changing the landscape of pediatric brain research. His work provided critical insights on, and led to new discoveries related to, Rett syndrome, traumatic brain injury, excitotoxicity, and anoxic brain injury, to name but a few.
“Dr. Johnston was a respected, internationally known pediatric neurologist who was fascinated by the developing brain and who devoted his entire professional life to helping children with neurological disorders,” said Brad Schlaggar, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute. “We are truly humbled by and grateful for this very meaningful and timely gift, and to know that his legacy will continue.”
About Kennedy Krieger Institute
Kennedy Krieger Institute, an internationally known, non-profit organization located in the greater Baltimore/Washington, D.C. region, transforms the lives of more than 27,000 individuals a year through inpatient and outpatient medical, behavioral health and wellness therapies, home and community services, school-based programs, training and education for professionals and advocacy. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children, adolescents and adults with diseases, disorders or injuries that impact the nervous system, ranging from mild to severe. The Institute is home to a team of investigators who contribute to the understanding of how disorders develop, while at the same time pioneer new interventions and methods of early diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Visit KennedyKrieger.org for more information about Kennedy Krieger.
