Elaine Johannes is the Kansas Health Foundation Distinguished Professor in Community Health for K-State Research and Extension and is a state Extension Specialist in the Department of Applied Human Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences at Kansas State University.  Dr. Johannes has degrees from Kansas State University in Psychology, masters in Adult and Community Counseling, a graduate certificate in Gerontology, and a doctorate in Lifespan Human Development.

She has extensive experience in working with communities to address health disparities, unequal access to health care, and the social drivers and conditions that impact people’s health and well-being. Johannes’ Extension programming and applied scholarship build the capacity for resilience and well-being among youth, families, networks, and communities. 

In 2023, Johannes was the recipient of the Samuel J. Crumbine Medal from the Kansas Public Health Association, selected by the National  Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Board of Health and Human Sciences for the National Outstanding Engagement Award, and received the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA USDA), Cooperative Extension and APLU North Central Region Excellence in Extension Award.