Commissioner
Ms. Lewis was born and reared in Jonesboro Louisiana. She is a graduate of Jonesboro Hodge High School and the Jonesboro Hodge Licensed Practical Nursing program.
In 1984, Ms. Lewis graduated from Northeast Louisiana University, currently known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe, with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing and has been an active Registered Nurse since 1985 to present.
She obtained a Master’s in Public Administration with a specialty in Health Services Administration from Grambling State University, Grambling Louisiana in 1995 and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies in 2002, also from Grambling State University.
In 1985 Ms. Lewis joined the United States Air Force Reserve, Barksdale, Louisiana. During this time, she held numerous positions, to include the Chief Nurse for the 917th Medial Squadron. Other positions held include: Nursing Staff Development for the 917thMedical Squadron and the Infection Control Officer for the 917th Wing. In preparation for the 917th Wing Operation Readiness Inspection, which was held in November 2007, she served as the 917th Medical Squadron Commander for the Deployable Medical Facility-(DMF-field hospital) during the Operation Readiness Exercises from April-November 2007. The DMF received an Excellent rating for overall Ability To Survive and Operate (ATSO) in field and disaster conditions during peace and wartime. After twenty-seven (27) years of service, she retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on September 22nd, 2012.
In September 2003, she was hired as an employee with the Department of Health and Hospitals, working with the Office of Public Health in Region 3, as the Regional Nurse Consultant. While serving in this capacity, she was afforded the opportunity to serve as the Operations Chief during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.
In January 2009, she was promoted to the position of Program Manager 3, Assistant Center Director for the Center for Community Preparedness, located in Baton Rouge, LA. She embraced the challenge and opportunity in helping our citizens and communities become more aware of how to prepare and survive during a manmade or natural disaster.
In 2011, Ms. Lewis returned to Monroe, Louisiana and continued her nursing career at E.A.Conway Medical Center, now known as University Health Conway. Since then, she has served in many capacities, including Medical-Surgical Nurse Coordinator, Manager of ICU, Telemetry, and Medical-Surgical Patients, Quality Assurance Manager, Congregational Health and Community Outreach Coordinator and currently Director of Process Improvement and Community Affairs.
