Kortney Johnson

Kortney Johnson, BSN, RN, CCRN, is the recipient of the 2026-2027 Columbia University – Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association Inc. / J. Margaret Ada Mutch Scholarship from Nurses Educational Funds. Kortney is a doctoral student and senior student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA) at Columbia University, where she is completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bellin College in Green Bay, Wisconsin, before building a seven-year career in high-acuity Neuroscience Intensive Care Units. Outside of the hospital, Kortney is a yoga teacher, a role that heavily influences her clinical outlook by blending physiological awareness with mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques. 

Kortney’s path to nursing stems from a desire to combine high-level clinical science with direct, compassionate patient care. She spent six years at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center caring for critically ill neurological patients facing strokes, encephalitis, and traumatic brain injuries. Managing these complex cases gave her an intimate understanding of advanced physiology, ICP monitoring, and vasoactive pharmacology. Her clinical leadership led to early appointments as a Charge Nurse and preceptor for new hires and nursing students. These years at the bedside solidified her passion for clinical physiology and advanced pharmacology, naturally directing her toward nurse anesthesia. She chose Columbia’s DNP program for its academic rigor, clinical excellence, and focus on developing leaders who advocate for the profession. 

Beyond the classroom and her clinical residencies, Kortney is deeply involved in leadership and healthcare advocacy. She serves as the Columbia Representative for the Nurse Anesthesia Resident Association (NARA) and has been the Advocacy Chair for the Emerging Leaders Alliance since 2021. Scholarly, her doctoral project focuses on expanding Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FoCUS) education for anesthesia providers to improve intraoperative cardiac assessments. She also carves out time to mentor prospective students through mock interviews and essay critiques, volunteer with God's Love We Deliver, and stay active in a local book club. 

Graduating from Columbia in May 2027 and earning board certification will allow Kortney to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). As a CRNA, she plans to use her advocacy background to fight for full professional autonomy for advanced practice nurses, championing legislative efforts like the Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act to protect healthcare access in underserved communities. Receiving the NEF Scholarship is a critical milestone for Kortney, easing the financial demands of a full-time residency. She is deeply honored to carry on the legacy of Miss J. Margaret Ada Mutch, aiming to mirror her visionary leadership and dedication to clinical excellence throughout her career.