MOUNTAIN LAKE SERVICES LEADERSHIP AWARD presented to PATRICIA WOODS JOHNSON, May, 2009

"Enriching the Lives of People with Intellectual Disabilities, Their Families and Our Communities"

This award is presented to an individual, who is not an employee of our agency, and who has made a very significant contribution to our field. She has roots in the North Country. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education and Liberal Arts at Syracuse University. She is also a graduate of Brooklyn Law School. She is Assistant Counsel to the New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, where she counseled the State Surrogate Decision Making Committee Program (SDMC) enacted under New York Mental Hygiene Law, Article 80. For those who are not aware, SDMC committees are an alternative approach to the court system for obtaining an informed decision about major medical treatment for people with mental disabilities in residential facilities and programs operated, licensed, or funded by an office of the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene.

A legal scholar, an expert and a huge resource on issues related to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, she is co-editor of the New York State Bar Association publication, Representing People with Disabilities. A prolific writer on legal issues related to our field, she has authored several legal articles. She is the co-author of "Ethical Conflicts in Representing People with Questionable Capacity" and "The Legal Aspects of Narcolepsy" published in the journal Loss, Grief and Care. She is a frequent contributing author of "Counsel’s Corner" articles in Quality of Care, including "Promoting Autonomy, Advance Directives"; "Refusal of Treatment by Children and the Mature Minor Doctrine"; and "First Do No Harm" addressing end of life decision making.

An unassuming individual, she exudes a quiet dignity and treats everyone, particularly individuals with disabilities with deep respect. Having a sibling who is intellectually and developmentally disabled, she has an abiding interest in and has never veered from her life long quest of improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. She is a consummate teacher, and has provided scores of training to hundreds of individuals throughout the State regarding the surrogate decision making program. We have been fortunate to have her come to our agency and train many of our staff. Her leadership in developing the State Surrogate Decision Making Committee Program is unmatched in our Country. She is a member of the planning committee as well as legal and program consultant to the cable television series "Disability and the Law."

I could go on and on about her achievements, but I will sum up by saying that she is a role model for many and an inspiration to us all! So, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you this year’s recipient of the Charles R. Hayes Leadership Award, Ms. Patricia W. Johnson, Esq. Congratulations and thank you.