Carlos M. Johnson Jr., MPH, LPN, M-IV has been recognized as the Top Healthcare Leadership Mentor of 2025 for his transformative work in establishing and leading Safe Harbor Home Healthcare, a licensed home healthcare organization that has become a cornerstone of support for vulnerable populations across Ohio since 2019.
Johnson founded Safe Harbor Home Healthcare to address critical gaps in care for individuals requiring dependable, structured home healthcare supports. Under his leadership, the Cleveland-based organization has developed a comprehensive approach to serving individuals with complex medical and behavioral needs, including those with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mental health disorders, substance use disorders, dual diagnoses, elderly individuals aging in place, and pediatric patients requiring home-based healthcare supports.
The organization’s success stems from its commitment to what Johnson describes as “Creating Safe Spaces for Clients, Families, and Staff to Thrive.” This guiding motto informs all aspects of service delivery and organizational culture at Safe Harbor. Rather than reactive approaches, the organization utilizes evidence-based, patient-centered strategies that promote stabilization and safety, allowing the team to accept and effectively support high-acuity cases that other providers often turn away.
Safe Harbor Home Healthcare provides a full continuum of licensed services including Homemaker Personal Care, 24/7 caregiver supports, skilled and non-skilled home care, medication administration, and assistance with activities of daily living. The organization has expanded to operate licensed group homes, residential care facilities, and transitional housing, along with stabilization-focused residential respite housing.
Johnson’s leadership extends beyond direct patient care. He has built a robust multidisciplinary Senior Leadership Team to ensure clinical integrity and regulatory compliance across all service lines. The team includes Monique Christian-Long, MLIS, as Director of Organizational Development overseeing strategy and workforce development; Antynia Simms, MA, CHT, as Director of Operations leading daily operations and service delivery; and Shelia Johnson, RN, as Director of Health and Wellness providing nursing leadership and clinical oversight.
Demonstrating his commitment to elevating standards across the industry, Johnson established weekly in-office training programs that offer Basic Life Support, First Aid and CPR certification, and Medication Administration courses. These programs support both internal staff and external participants, reinforcing professional development within the home healthcare sector.
Safe Harbor Home Healthcare collaborates closely with case workers, guardians, and healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care delivery. All trauma-informed home healthcare services are delivered in accordance with state regulations, payer requirements, and professional standards of care. The organization exists to restore stability, dignity, and hope through consistent, person-centered care, creating structured, supportive environments where individuals can build trust, gain confidence, and thrive with the guidance of compassionate, highly trained professionals committed to long-term success.
Through his vision and dedication to patient-centered healthcare, Johnson has established a model that prioritizes both clinical excellence and human dignity, earning him recognition as a top leader in healthcare mentorship for 2025.