NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
October 29, 2025
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast welcomes back Dr. Thomas Johnson, increasing access to cancer care
PANAMA CITY, Fla. – We are grateful to have Thomas Johnson, MD, medical oncologist and hematologist, back at Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center in Santa Rosa Beach. Dr. Johnson started back full-time on Wednesday, October 1. Dr. Johnson has been with Ascension for more than 14 years. He joins the team with Mark DeLeon, MD and Heather Hilty, DO increasing access to cancer care for patients in Walton County and surrounding areas.
“It’s important for us to provide cancer care close to home so our residents don’t have to travel for high-quality, personalized treatment,” said Trey Abshier, President of Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. “Having Dr. Johnson here full time will improve appointment availability and provide additional expertise for our team.”
After starting the Sacred Heart Emerald Coast practice in 2008, Dr. Johnson spent 10 years developing his Santa Rosa Beach hematology/oncology practice. After three years in private practice in Northwest Alabama, Dr. Johnson returned to Ascension Sacred Heart Bay in 2021 to help open the new clinic there. He is glad to be back in Walton County permanently.
“God has called me and given me the strength to help establish two cancer clinics in our community and to care for people going through some of the most difficult times in their lives,” said Dr. Johnson. “I am thankful for the opportunity to practice full time in Santa Rosa Beach and look forward to providing high quality, compassionate care to our patients.”
Dr. Johnson is board-certified in hematology and medical oncology. He has a special interest in acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and the treatment of solid tumors. He provides compassionate, informative care, using 32 years of clinical experience and evidence-based approaches to provide state-of-the-art care to his patients. Dr. Johnson completed an advanced fellowship in medical oncology and hematology, preceded by a residency in internal medicine. He earned his medical degree from SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse. Outside of the office, Dr. Johnson enjoys running, fishing, weight training and maintaining his classic British car.
Dr. Johnson’s current patients can reach the office at 850-622-0873 for appointments and additional information. He is also accepting new patient referrals.
About Ascension Sacred Heart
Ascension Sacred Heart, based in Pensacola, Florida, operates five hospitals and more than 100 other sites of care and employs more than 6,440 associates. In fiscal year 2024, Ascension Sacred Heart provided more than $193 million in community benefit and other care for vulnerable persons. Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Kretzer
External Communications Manager
850-832-0406
heather.kretzer@ascension.org
