Mended Hearts Diablo Chapter 254
It's Good to be Alive and to Help Others
Our mission is to “inspire hope in heart disease patients and their families.”
Kim Johnson - Board Member, Visiting Trainer
Unlike my Dad and brother, who have only worked for one employer during their entire careers, I was more like my Mom. She and I have worked at several places and held a number of positions. My work history reads like a public sector saga, City of Oakland, United States Postal Service (I truly understand the term gone postal), BART (where I eventually met Al), Lawrence Livermore Lab, East Bay MUD, and lastly as a Financial Advisor with MassMutual Financial Services (I would probably still be there if Al hadn't retired). After he retired though, it was hard watching him lay in bed with a smile on his face while I went off to work. Needless to say, I had to put an end to that so I ended joining him in retirement. We are both busier than ever now, having transitioned into real estate investing as well as our travel business. Al and I are thoroughly enjoying our "new" careers and don't see "retirement" showing up on the horizon for a very, very long time!
Getting to Know Kim Johnson,
Kim Johnson. Patricia Johnson. Sometimes it can get kind of confusing as to know who is who. Which person are we talking about? The reason I say that is most Mended Hearts members know me as "Kim Johnson". Others though have heard me referred to as "Patricia Johnson". This response is usually followed by I thought your name was "Kim". Who is "Patricia"? Actually, I'm both, "Kim" and "Patricia". Patricia is my first name and Kim is my middle. Family members, relatives and friends call me "Kim". In business, though, I go by "Patricia" or "Pat". Either way, you can call me whichever name you prefer. Hope this helps to end any confusion!
I'm a Native Californian, 4th generation and the oldest of three children (two girls and a boy) born to my parents. When I was 4 years old, I lost my younger sister to leukemia, she was only -- 2 at the time. Back then, the doctors didn't have any treatments to treat leukemia unlike today.
Although I received an Associate Degree from Laney Junior College, I did not continue on to a university despite the urging of one of my college instructors. At the time, my main goal was to go and "'get a job" and make some money! It wasn't until I later met Al and we were watching the movie "Working Girl", starring Melanie Griffith that I decided to continue on with my education. Al had always encouraged me to go back to school and "Working Girl", was the catalyst that helped me make that decision. After seeing the movie, I knew I had to go back to school -- there was no doubt about it! The next day, I made an appointment to see a College Counselor. From then on, my focus was on school. Of course, this was in addition to working full-time, taking care of our son, David, and still making sure I spent quality time with Al. It wasn't easy, yet, it wasn't difficult either. I guess it was because I was totally focused on getting my education. After attending Cal State Hayward for nearly 11 years, I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science (June 1996) and a Master's Degree in Public Administration (March 2000).
Kim Johnson. Patricia Johnson. Sometimes it can get kind of confusing as to know who is who. Which person are we talking about? The reason I say that is most Mended Hearts members know me as "Kim Johnson". Others though have heard me referred to as "Patricia Johnson". This response is usually followed by I thought your name was "Kim". Who is "Patricia"? Actually, I'm both, "Kim" and "Patricia". Patricia is my first name and Kim is my middle. Family members, relatives and friends call me "Kim". In business, though, I go by "Patricia" or "Pat". Either way, you can call me whichever name you prefer. Hope this helps to end any confusion!
I'm a Native Californian, 4th generation and the oldest of three children (two girls and a boy) born to my parents. When I was 4 years old, I lost my younger sister to leukemia, she was only -- 2 at the time. Back then, the doctors didn't have any treatments to treat leukemia unlike today.
Although I received an Associate Degree from Laney Junior College, I did not continue on to a university despite the urging of one of my college instructors. At the time, my main goal was to go and "'get a job" and make some money! It wasn't until I later met Al and we were watching the movie "Working Girl", starring Melanie Griffith that I decided to continue on with my education. Al had always encouraged me to go back to school and "Working Girl", was the catalyst that helped me make that decision. After seeing the movie, I knew I had to go back to school -- there was no doubt about it! The next day, I made an appointment to see a College Counselor. From then on, my focus was on school. Of course, this was in addition to working full-time, taking care of our son, David, and still making sure I spent quality time with Al. It wasn't easy, yet, it wasn't difficult either. I guess it was because I was totally focused on getting my education. After attending Cal State Hayward for nearly 11 years, I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science (June 1996) and a Master's Degree in Public Administration (March 2000).