This year's Richmond Christmas Mother, Dr. Lydia Johnson, to focus on physical, mental health

Dr. Lydia Jones Johnson, one of Richmond’s top dermatologists, is bringing her dedication and skills to a new role this holiday season. She will be the Richmond Christmas Mother for 2024.

The annual Richmond Christmas Mother Fund secures and provides resources for families in need during the holiday season. It is organized by the Richmond Times-Dispatch and began in 1935. Each year, a prominent Richmonder takes on the role of the Richmond Christmas Mother.

“I grew up in a home where helping others was a part of everyday life,” Johnson said.

Her father, Dr. William Jones, practiced medicine in Richmond for over 40 years and delivered more than 8,000 babies. He worked at several local hospitals, including Richmond Memorial, St. Mary’s and Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. He was the first African-American to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology in the city, according to Jones.

Her mother, Evora Williams Jones, was a professor of English at Virginia Union University, who spent her life helping others.

“She is my lifelong hero,” Johnson said. “What she accomplished as a mother and as a professional is remarkable.”

The youngest of six children, Johnson watched her mother balance running a family, working full time and volunteering at several community organizations during her life. “My mother instilled in all of us that one is never too busy to give back and to be of service to others,” Johnson said.

“She had just passed when I was first approached about serving as the Richmond Christmas Mother. I think of this opportunity as an honor to her. She was the epitome of grace, class, love, intellect, and selflessness, and I hope to bring that to my role as the 2024 Richmond Christmas Mother and honor her in the process,” Johnson said.

Johnson grew up in Richmond and graduated from St. Catherine’s School, before attending Stanford University in California for undergrad, followed by the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Johnson is a dermatologist with more than 20 years of experience and currently practices at Forefront Dermatology in Glen Allen.

“Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to do something to help others and realized early on that I wanted to do that as a doctor,” Johnson said.

‘Dedicated and compassionate’

Known best for her compassionate bedside manner, Johnson focuses on general dermatology, including skin cancer detection and treatment, as well as complex skin conditions. Johnson lives in Richmond with her husband, Kenneth Johnson and their two children.

“As demonstrated by Dr. Johnson’s choice to become a physician and to excel as a physician leader in dermatology, I know her to be equal parts dedicated and compassionate toward others,” said Dr. Algin Garrett, a colleague at Forefront Dermatology. “This, combined with her quiet intellect inspires others to not only respect her, but to embrace her passions.”

Christmas has always held a magical, special place in her family’s life.

She remembers the big Christmas meals her mother would cook for the whole family and going shopping at Toys R Us with her father. There, she remembers being “stopped by numerous people – mothers and fathers with their young children, children whom he had delivered over the course of his long career as an obstetrician-gynecologist, serving people from all backgrounds. It was clear that he was respected and appreciated and had a profound impact on their lives.

“Many years later, once I became a mother myself, I understood the admiration and adoration that those parents felt,” Johnson said. While her father passed away seven years ago, Johnson said, “He treated every patient with the same respect and care, regardless of background, educational level, or other status, and he shared this with my siblings and me.”

These days, Johnson and her family adopt an Angel Tree every holiday season through the Salvation Army to provide toys and clothing for another family’s children. For the past few years, Johnson and her son have volunteered at the Salvation Army distribution center.

This year, as the Christmas Mother, Johnson said, “I’ll be working closely with the leaders at the Salvation Army, and working with them to get donations to help those in our community who need resources like coats, mittens, and food.”

Fund is celebrating 90 years

The annual Richmond Christmas Mother Fund has been providing resources for families in need during the holiday season since 1935. The Times-Dispatch sponsors the program and absorbs nearly all of its administrative costs. The Richmond Christmas Mother program also receives contributions from Times-Dispatch readers and advertisers.

Last year, the program collected more than $358,008.06 in donations, thanks to efforts by 2023 Richmond Christmas Mother Jacquelin Ukrop Aronson.

As Richmond Christmas Mother for 2024, Johnson will be the ambassador for the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund. She will be the face of the initiative for the holiday season to increase awareness of the fund and the various organizations that will benefit from it.

“We are ecstatic to have Lydia Johnson as our 2024 Richmond Christmas Mother. Growing up in a Richmond home where helping others was a part of everyday life, Lydia embodies the spirit of service. She is passionate about improving the lives of others during the holiday season and throughout the year,” Kelly Till, president of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, said.

Every year, the Christmas Mother chooses a nonprofit organization to focus on.

“This year, I will be choosing the Crossover Healthcare Ministry and the Kids on the Move program,” Johnson said.

Crossover Healthcare Ministry is a nonprofit organization that provides healthcare to uninsured and Medicaid patients. Kids on the Move links with organizations that want to empower active living to kids to improve lives and strengthen communities.

“I was so excited to hear that Dr. Lydia Johnson is being named the Richmond Christmas Mother this year. As a former coach with Kids On The Move and a current Sports Backers board member, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know her over the last few years. She is a selfless leader, always showing up with a friendly smile and willingness to help. With her genuine heart for the community, she is the perfect person to be this year’s Christmas Mother,” Jacki Quinlin with Sports Backers said.

Johnson said she wants to shine a light on these two organizations because they help support goals that advance physical and mental health.

Johnson is also planning to draw on her experience as a physician to the role.

“In my role as Christmas Mother, I bring a new dimension. I’m a physician, so I have a broad reach in that realm. I’ve been practicing for more than 20 years so I feel like I’ve reached a lot of people,” she said.

Johnson is also an endurance runner and has completed eight marathons, including four in Richmond. She is currently training for this year’s Richmond Marathon in November.

“I look forward to engaging with Richmond’s active community, specifically, the running community. I look forward to being out in their expo for the Richmond Marathon, because I run a marathon in November,” she said.

She continues, “I’ve seen some of the Christmas Mothers and the impact that they have had. I certainly didn’t know that, eventually, I’d be the Christmas Mother. It’s come full circle because I’ve been able to contribute and volunteer over the years. Hopefully now, I’ll inspire other people to do the same.”