Johnson Health Center was opened in 1998 and named in honor of Dr. Robert Walter Johnson. Dr. Johnson was the first African American to receive privileges to practice at Lynchburg General Hospital. He spent his entire medical career serving the Lynchburg community. 

Dr. Johnson was also the driving force behind integrated tennis. For more than 20 years, Dr. Johnson trained, coached and mentored African Americans from his home tennis court in Lynchburg. He established the Junior Development program for the American Tennis Association and he coached the first two African American grand slam champions, Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.