Dr Catherine Johnson is an Australian trained adult and paediatric neurosurgeon. She grew up in Brisbane where she completed her secondary schooling and Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Queensland. She then moved to Sydney to complete a Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery in 2007 at the University of Sydney. During her neurosurgical training she realised how much patients with neurosurgical conditions struggle with pain, and so she returned to the University of Sydney to complete a Masters of Medicine in the field of pain. Dr Johnson completed her FRACS in Neurosurgery in 2018. In 2019 she underwent post-fellowship training locally in Newcastle at JHH in spine, before completing two further fellowships in neuro-oncology and paediatric neurosurgery in the United Kingdom at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.

Following Dr Johnson's medical degree, internship and residency, she received neurosurgery training years at Sydney-based hospitals including Prince of Wales, Sydney Children’s Hospital, St George Hospital, St Vincent’s hospital and Liverpool Hospital. She has also received training interstate at the Canberra Hospital, Townsville Hospital and the Gold Coast Hospital.

Dr Johnson is currently employed at the John Hunter Hospital and works also at Lingard Private Hospital as well as Newcastle Private Hospital.