Lily E. Johnston, MD, MPH

Media Releases

Get to know Vascular Surgeon Dr. Lily E. Johnston, who serves patients in Sacramento, California.

Dr. Johnston is a board certified vascular surgeon with Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center. She is passionate about providing the full breadth of therapeutic options in vascular surgery, optimizing nutrition and wellness to maximize healthspan, and addressing gender and socioeconomic disparities in vascular care.

“I joined Kaiser Permanente because I believe a team-based, integrated model of healthcare is better for patients, providers, and public health. Our group in vascular surgery is collegial and collaborative, and this gives our patients the benefit of multiple perspectives and multiple practitioners looking out for them at every turn. I want to offer every patient the best care possible and treat them just as I would treat a member of my own family.”

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Johnston has moved all over the country for her education and medical training. After earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Princeton University in 2005, she went on to obtain her Medical Degree from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine in 2012.

Furthering her education, Dr. Johnston graduated with her Master of Public Health Degree from Johns Hopkins University in 2015. She then performed her residency in surgery at the University of Virginia Medical Center in 2019, followed by her fellowship in vascular surgery at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (Rochester) in 2021. 

Dedicated to the treatment of the body’s arteries and veins, the doctor is board certified in both surgery and vascular surgery by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The ABS is an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.

In affiliation with several professional organizations, Dr. Johnston is an active member of the Society of Vascular Surgery, the Vascular and Endovascular Surgical Society, and the American College of Surgeons.

Vascular surgery is a surgical subspecialty in which diseases of the vascular system, including the arteries, veins, and lymphatic circulation, are managed by medical therapy, minimally invasive catheter procedures, and surgical reconstruction. A vascular surgeon diagnoses, treats, and manages conditions in the arteries and veins, also called the blood vessels. These specialists treat a range of health problems, from spider and varicose veins to life-threatening aneurysms, and can help patients manage chronic conditions throughout their lives.

Outside of practicing medicine, Dr. Johnston enjoys skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Her  parents live in San Diego, and her sister, brother-in-law, and two nephews live just outside of New Mexico.

“Hawai’i is one of my favorite places, and I try to go with my family at least once a year. One of our best adventures there was a tour of the Mauna Kea observatory–you get to experience snow in Hawai’i, watch the sunset over Haleakala, and then see some of the most amazing views of the night sky you’ve ever seen.”

Recommended Articles

• Decubitus Ulcers or Pressure Ulcers: What Are They?

  Decubitus ulcers or pressure ulcers, more commonly known as bedsores, are open wounds on your skin due to the prolonged pressure applied to the area. These ulcers occur mostly over the bony prominences such as the hips, tailbone, ankle, and heels. Bedsores are a frequent condition experienced by...

• Different Types of Aneurysms

  What is an aneurysm?An aneurysm is the abnormal ballooning, widening, or bulging of a part of the artery usually caused by arterial wall weakness. When an aneurysm enlarges and ruptures, disastrous consequences, such as internal bleeding, usually happen.Aneurysms are usually found in the aorta (the...

• 5 Tips on Living with Varicose Veins

  Varicose veins are bothersome and uncomfortable. Apart from being unattractive, varicose veins are associated with both physical and mental pain. High temperatures during the summer call for relaxed clothing, and varicose veins can prevent someone from living their life happily. Because age is one...

• How Can I Improve Varicose Veins?

  Varicose veins can affect your self esteem, since they are distressing and painful. These veins can develop anywhere in the body, although the legs are commonly affected. They are usually twisted, swollen and deep purple or blue in color.When blood starts accumulating in the veins as a result of...

• What Is Atherosclerosis: Types, Symptoms, and Home Remedies

  What is atherosclerosis?Atherosclerosis is also known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease or ASVD. It is a particular type of arteriosclerosis in which an artery wall gets thickened as an effect of attack and accumulation of white blood cells and rupture of the intimal smooth muscle cell producing...

• What Is Varicose Vein Stripping?

  A vein is a blood vessel that carries blood through your body. Varicose veins are one among a spectrum of chronic vein problems. It is common and can be found in up to 20% of the adult population. The severity of the condition varies and while varicose veins are responsible for significant...