Since Aug. 1 of last year, Shelly M. Johnson of Gloucester has served as president of Riverside Walter Reed Hospital after the retirement of former RWRH president Esther Desimini on June 1.

“I have a long history with Riverside,” she said.

Johnson grew up in Gloucester and started with Riverside at Walter Reed in 1998, where she worked in various administrative positions, including serving as the Director of Finance and Senior Director of Operations.

She transitioned to Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News January 2020, where she served as Associate Vice President for Administration.

“It’s a great team,” said Johnson about RWRH. She said that the hospital team is like a family.

One of Johnson’s goals right now as president is to fill positions that are vacant. A lot of health care organizations, including Riverside, have had to use contract labor and Johnson wants to fill those roles permanently.

Johnson said that it is difficult filling nursing position...