DePaul Community Health Centers’ (DCHC) Behavioral Health Specialists Manager, April Johnson Dumas, DBH, LCSW, BACS, has been named a 2025 Health Care Hero by New Orleans CityBusiness. Health Care Heroes honors healthcare nurses, physicians, professionals, and volunteers in the New Orleans area for their industry achievements and community involvement.
Johnson Dumas received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor degree in sociology from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Social Work from Southern University at New Orleans. She later earned a doctorate in behavioral health from Arizona State University.
Johnson Dumas has nearly 20 years of experience in the human services profession, including working with juvenile offenders with emotional disturbances, adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses, and child welfare. She has served as a member of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work, is a current member of the National Association of Professional Women and facilitates professional presentations and training for the National Association of Social Work Louisiana. Her expertise in the behavioral sciences is regularly featured on programs for the cable network channel TVOne, and her research on integrated healthcare has been published in Social Work Advocates Magazine.
Johnson Dumas has also lent her voice locally to social and mental health topics on WBOK-AM. She is an advocate for quality mental healthcare for the underserved, disadvantaged, and disenfranchised populations which is driven through her work with DePaul Community Health Centers. When Johnson Dumas is not working as a clinician or pursuing research interest, she shares her knowledge and love of learning with others as an adjunct instructor and clinical supervisor.
“I’m beyond proud of Dr. Johnson Dumas for being named a 2025 Health Care Hero,” said Michael Griffin, PhD, MSPH, DSc, FACHE, president & CEO of DCHC. “Her passion for behavioral healthcare, dedication to teaching the next generation of health care professionals, and commitment to professional excellence serve as several reasons why she’s more than deserving of this honor, and we’re glad to have her at DCHC.”
Health Care Heroes’ honorees will be celebrated at an in-person event from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the New Orleans Museum of Art.