Johnston has been named recipient of the organization’s 2024 Dr. Paul Adams Award, which recognizes “exceptional initiative, professionalism and generosity within the pro-life medical community.” Dr. Paul Adams was a pro-life obstetrician and gynecologist who practised at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. 

In announcing the award, Physicians for Life called Johnston “an outstanding physician who exemplifies a life and profession of dedication and virtue.”

In addition to his Vancouver family practice, he teaches at the University of British Columbia.

John Hof, founder of the pro-life advocacy organization United for Life B.C., said Johnston has been “a stalwart defender of life since the early days of the abortion debate.” He was instrumental in starting Physicians for Life, said Hof, and “has laid his career on the line and, on numerous occasions, convinced patients of the intrinsic value of their unborn children.”

Margaret Cottle, a Vancouver palliative care physician, called Johnston “Dr. Pro-Life” for his work protecting life from conception onward and for being “a leader in the campaign against medical termination.”

Cottle said he is “fearless and persistent” and with his excellent media presence “knows exactly what to say to illuminate both the truth and the heart of the issue.”

He has been a “wonderful friend” to crisis pregnancy centres in the Lower Mainland, Cottle said, “lovingly caring for many women referred by these charities, including those who have no means of paying for their care.”

She praised his tireless work as “a true star” in the pro-life physicians’ community, “saving and enriching many lives.” 

She added, “Not many physicians of his generation are still delivering babies.”

Johnston is also chair of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition of BC and past president of Canadian Physicians for Life.

Johnston will receive the award on Oct. 26 at the Canadian Physicians for Life annual conference in Vancouver, at which he will be a speaker.