Lewis joined Stewart Memorial in 2021, bringing more than a decade of anesthesia experience from North Dakota. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he began seeking an opportunity closer to family and was drawn to Stewart Memorial Hospital & Clinics for its strong sense of community and the opportunity for close, collaborative, one-on-one patient care.

“I was really drawn to the community atmosphere here and the opportunity to work closely with everyone involved in patient care,” Lewis shared. “It’s a place where teamwork really matters, and that stood out to me right away.”

Since joining the organization, Lewis has seen the anesthesia department continue to grow and evolve, with expanded services and ongoing development of clinical operations. Through these changes, he has remained focused on adaptability while maintaining a strong commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care.

Lewis emphasizes a team-oriented approach in his daily work, highlighting the importance of collaboration across departments, including anesthesia and pain solutions. He also stresses the value of clear, open communication among care teams to ensure patients receive coordinated, safe and effective care.

“Good communication across all areas of care is essential,” Lewis said. “When everyone is working together and staying aligned, it directly improves the patient experience and helps ensure safe outcomes.”

One of the key experiences during his time at Stewart Memorial has been working closely with leadership and colleagues to support consistent, high-quality anesthesia coverage while integrating new team members into the department. He notes that this collaborative environment has helped maintain continuity of care and fostered a strong, positive workplace culture.

He credits his colleagues and leadership team for their support and collaboration, including Jordan Blackwill, CRNA; Ragina Rowen, RN; Linn Block, CEO; Ann Lengeling; Jim Henkenius, CFO; and Melissa Wallace, CCO, for their shared commitment to maintaining strong teamwork and organizational goals.

When asked what keeps him motivated, Lewis pointed to the impact of his work on patients.

“At the end of the day, it’s about helping people through surgery safely and making a stressful experience a little easier,” Lewis said. “Being part of that process and knowing