Kim Dang-Johnson, Co-founder of the American University of Health Sciences
By Brent Davis
It is quite literally true that AUHS would not exist without Kim Dang-Johnson. Our university is her vision of making a difference in this world to the glory of God. The story of how AUHS came about is a topic for another day, but after 30 years, it is right that we spotlight her extraordinary life.
Kim Dang-Johnson was born in Vietnam, and as a child she remembers running across a beach to board a small boat with soldiers shooting at her family. After some days sailing the seas, they were rescued by a ship and eventually came to the United States.
Growing up in Long Beach, Kim attended school there and, at 18, gave her life to Christ. It was in Long Beach that Kim met her future husband, Gregory Johnson. Although she had become a Christian at 18, it was not until she began going to Bible study that she grew spiritually.
When Kim and her husband, Pastor Gregory Johnson, began the university in 1994, they lived in the office. There was no money to pay for both a home and an office. Fast forward 30 years and AUHS is an accredited university offering degrees in Nursing, Pharmacy, and Clinical Research. She also founded and is president of the AUHS Foundation. Furthermore, she and Pastor Gregory also founded the American University Research Academy, an IB high school. They also found time to raise three children. AUHS owes its existence and thanks to Kim Dang-Johnson who normally shuns the spotlight but not this time!