Kim Johnson, Community Education Coordinator for Hospice of Southern Illinois, joined Hospice of Southern Illinois in 2008, “following in my mom’s footsteps and unconditional love for lifting people up.” Kim’s mom, Donna Oplet, was one of the founding nurses of Hospice of Southern Illinois and has a rich history setting the standard for hospice care in our community. Kim continues her legacy all these years later advocating for patients’ end-of-life wishes, educating the community on the importance of hospice care, and creating community collaborations to upholding Hospice of Southern Illinois’ reputation of excellent hospice care. Kim’s positive attitude, work ethic, humor and willingness to help others are just a few qualities that make her an asset to our team.Kim is talented and passionate about public speaking. She is knowledgeable about a variety of hospice related topics but enjoys sharing information on hospice care because it allows the opportunity to tell others about the services Hospice of Southern Illinois provides. This often leads to
Kim Johnson performing at a PSOP community event
helping someone one-on-one or connecting them with our care team she so deeply trusts. Another passion of Kim’s is Veterans. As a fellow Marine, she enjoys compassionate listening of veteran stories and honoring the service of our patients before they pass away. Thank you, Kim, for sharing your passions and talents with Hospice of Southern Illinois and always giving the “most of the best and the least of the worst,” another quote Kim lives by.
Kim’s favorite quote is “It is in the quiet crucible of our own private sufferings, that God’s greatest gifts are revealed,” by unknown author. Her mom shared this with her a long time ago and she added, “It has always been my solace.” You can often find her in one of her favorite communities of O’Fallon, for their growing fun-loving community and one of her favorite restaurants, Peel, or Belleville, sitting at the Shrine on my lunch break.