Senate Resolution 50

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING DR. PHYLLIS POLK JOHNSON, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF NURSING, UPON HER APPOINTMENT AS PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE BOARDS OF NURSING (NCSBN).

WHEREAS, we join the nursing profession in honoring Dr. Phyllis Polk Johnson, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, presently serving as Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Nursing, upon her appointment to the prestigious position as President of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing; and

WHEREAS, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing empowers and supports nursing regulators in their mandate to protect the public. Members are comprised of nursing regulatory bodies in all 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson has risen through the organization's ranks and currently serves as President of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing while continuing to promote the practice of nursing in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Board of Nursing is a consumer protection agency vested with authority to regulate the practice of nursing through licensure as provided in the Mississippi State Code. Since being appointed MSBON Executive Director in 2017, Dr. Johnson has been responsible for the oversight of almost 70,000 nurses in the state (RNs, LPNs, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses); and

WHEREAS, prior to being named the Executive Director of MSBON, Dr. Johnson served as the Director of Advanced Practice and Licensure for the board where she was responsible for the regulation of licensure, compliance, and discipline for the more than 5,000 Advanced Practice Nurses (Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) in the state. She has held numerous clinical and managerial responsibilities in her more than 35 years of nursing; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson is very active in the civic affairs of her state and community serving as the Chairman of the Madison County Business League and Foundation Health & Well-Being Committee and receiving the 2019 Mississippi's Business Woman of the Year – Mississippi Business Journal and the 2021 Madison County Economic Development Authority Visionary Leadership Award; and

WHEREAS, a native of Carthage, Mississippi, Dr. Johnson attended South Leake High School in Walnut Grove, where she graduated as salutatorian of her class. She received her BSN (Cum Laude) and MSN degrees from the Mississippi University for Women. She also holds a Master of Science degree from Jackson State University in Biology with an emphasis in Genetics and Molecular Biology. She received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Alcorn State University and graduated with a 4.0 grade point average while leading the MSBON; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson was appointed to the Governor's Opioid and Heroin Drug Task Force in December 2016. Dr. Johnson has been instrumental in developing rules and regulations at the board pertaining to the prescribing practices of Advanced Practice Nurses; and

WHEREAS, other appointments Dr. Johnson has received include the Governor's COVID-19 Advisory Board, the NCSBN National Licensure Compact Executive Committee, the Jackson State University COVID-19 Advisory Board, the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure's Advisory Committee for Physician Assistants, and the Advisory Committee for the Project Change Initiative of My Brother's Keeper; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, Dr. Phyllis Polk Johnson retired as a decorated officer in the United States Navy Reserves having achieved the rank of Commander. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she is active in the Jackson Mississippi Alumnae Chapter; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson is known for her tireless work ethic and desire to excel which was instilled by her parents. She has established a culture of excellence for her employees and staff at the MBON; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson is married to Clinton Johnson, Jr. She is the mother of two sons, William and Trey, and the grandmother of seven adoring grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the accomplishments and enormous professional and civic energy of a health care professional who has brought honor to the nursing profession, her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and congratulate Dr. Phyllis Polk Johnson, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Nursing, upon her appointment as President of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and extend the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate for her continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Johnson, forwarded to the Mississippi Board of Nursing and the NCSBN, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.