Dr. Shaneeta Johnson as Interim Chair of Surgery and Professor of Global Health at Meharry School of Global Health. A nationally and internationally recognized leader in global health, health equity, climate change, and environmental justice, Dr. Johnson brings extensive experience from many of the nation’s premier institutions to her academic and clinical leadership.
An expert in robotic minimally invasive surgery, bariatric surgery, surgical sustainability, and obesity medicine, Dr. Johnson is dedicated to advancing equitable, high-quality care for diverse patient populations. She is a board-certified general surgeon and obesity medicine specialist, certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons, and the International College of Surgeons.
Dr. Johnson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University, her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and completed her surgical training at Howard University Hospital. She further pursued advanced training through a Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic.
In addition to her role as Interim Chair, Dr. Johnson serves as Professor of Surgery, Associate Dean, and Vice President of Global Health Partnerships and Engagement. As founding faculty of the Meharry School of Global Health, she is deeply engaged in developing international partnerships, advancing global surgical education, leading simulation initiatives, and fostering collaborative research with academic and industry partners worldwide. She previously served as a Senior Fellow in Global Health Equity at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute.
A sought-after speaker, Dr. Johnson has served on advisory panels for the FDA, The Joint Commission, and legislative committees, contributing expertise at the intersection of surgery, policy, sustainability, and health equity. An innovator in both patient care and medical education, she has launched comprehensive health programs and has been instrumental in integrating advanced technologies to enhance clinical outcomes and training for the next generation of physicians.