Nurse Honored with 2026 Future of Healthcare Award

The Greater Bridgeport Medical Association (GBMA) has announced that a Bridgeport native has been selected to receive a 2026 Future of Healthcare Award, recognizing outstanding healthcare professionals under age 40 who are making a meaningful impact through leadership, innovation, service, and dedication to improving healthcare in the Greater Bridgeport region.

LaBriah Johnson, RN, House Administrator Manager at New Milford Hospital, is being recognized for her outstanding leadership, commitment to patient safety, and dedication to mentoring future healthcare professionals.

A graduate of Kolbe Cathedral High School, the University of Connecticut, and Quinnipiac University's Accelerated Nursing Program, LaBriah's journey into healthcare began through ACCESS Educational Services, a Bridgeport nonprofit that introduces local students to STEM education and healthcare career pathways. Even while completing nursing school, she returned to ACCESS to mentor students, teaching coding, mathematics, and encouraging young people to pursue careers in healthcare.

LaBriah was nominated by her longtime mentor, Gwendolyn Brantley of ACCESS Educational Services, who submitted her nomination in recognition of LaBriah's remarkable professional accomplishments and unwavering commitment to giving back to the community that helped shape her career. Brantley praised LaBriah for serving as a role model whose leadership, compassion, and dedication continue to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Throughout her career, LaBriah has earned recognition for her commitment to clinical excellence, including Hartford HealthCare's prestigious "Good Catch" Award for exceptional patient advocacy and vigilance. Today, as House Administrator Manager at New Milford Hospital, she serves as the hospital's primary operational leader, responding to medical emergencies, supporting patient safety, and making critical decisions that impact patients and care teams every day. She also continues to mentor new nurses, helping them successfully transition into professional practice.

"LaBriah Johnson exemplifies caring for her hometown community," said John Brannelly, Executive Director of the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association. "As a nurse, she provides compassionate, high-quality care to her patients, and through her volunteer work, she mentors local students and encourages them to pursue careers in healthcare."

LaBriah will be honored during the inaugural Future of Healthcare Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course in Fairfield. The event will celebrate healthcare professionals who are helping shape the future of medicine and improve the health of communities throughout the Greater Bridgeport region.

All are welcome to purchase tickets to attend the dinner program and help celebrate this year's honorees. Information about tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and the Future of Healthcare Awards is available at GBMedical.org.

The Future of Healthcare Awards recognize exceptional physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, community health workers, dental professionals, and other healthcare professionals whose leadership and service are making a lasting difference in the communities they serve.